University Launches Civic Learning Week to Empower Student Engagement
As part of a new commitment to civic education, the University of Michigan is launching its first-ever Civic Learning Week from March 9-13. This initiative aims to integrate civic learning into the student experience, preparing students to be both engaged citizens and career-ready graduates.
The Division of Student Life, in collaboration with U-M’s Democracy and Civic Engagement Initiative, is spearheading this weeklong event. It emphasizes the importance of students applying their academic knowledge in practical, community-oriented settings. For more details, visit Civic Learning Week events and iCivics’ National Civic Learning Week.
Modeled after a national effort to promote civic education, U-M’s Civic Learning Week seeks to inspire students to use their influence to impact their communities and democratic frameworks positively. This initiative is part of a larger strategy by the Division of Student Life to tie academic pursuits with real-world engagement, thereby enhancing students’ civic involvement.
According to Martino Harmon, vice president for student life, “Civic learning empowers our students to understand the world around them and to help shape it thoughtfully, through their choices, conversations and commitments.” Harmon emphasizes that the ultimate goal is cultivating a culture where civic values become ingrained and lifelong.
The initiative is supported by more than 20 Student Life units, including the Ginsberg Center, which is known for its involvement during election seasons. These units focus on fostering democracy’s day-to-day practices, such as:
- Engaging in dialogue and understanding diverse perspectives.
- Collaborating across differences.
- Participating in shared decision-making processes.
- Upholding civic responsibility for community well-being.
Neeraja Aravamudan, director of the Ginsberg Center, states, “Civic learning is more than showing up to the ballot box. It’s about giving students the tools to engage with their community, navigate differences and take action in everyday life — and then giving them repeated opportunities to put those skills into practice, on and off campus.”
The week’s activities include workshops to align students’ interests with civic engagement, discussions with elected officials, and group sessions to analyze current events. By connecting students’ values and beliefs with actionable steps, the initiative aims to cultivate meaningful community engagement.
Throughout the year, the Division of Student Life fosters experiential learning through partnerships with peers, community organizations, local businesses, and public service opportunities. Civic Learning Week acts as a focal point for these efforts, demonstrating how such experiences equip students to tackle real-world challenges and develop leadership skills.
Louise Jackson, director of the University Career Center, remarks, “Initiatives like this are a reminder that learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door. We want to help students see themselves as active participants in their communities and feel prepared for professional success after graduation.”
With the debut of Civic Learning Week, organizers hope to highlight ongoing opportunities and inspire new collaborations, encouraging the entire U-M community to explore innovative ways to engage with and contribute to their communities.
