American Democracy Project

State colleges and universities prepare tomorrow’s leaders. AASCU helps them graduate informed citizens actively engaged in our democracy.

Contact us.
Students at Towson University (MD) "Party to the Polls."

Way to Get Involved 

Join the Network

Gain access to resources alongside a committed community.

Programs

Take action to develop informed and active citizens.

Research & Events

Find timely insights from the AASCU community.

Partners & Awards

Share insights and celebrate your peers’ contributions.

Policy & Advocacy

Advance policy priorities critical to student civic engagement.

Join the Network

Who should participate?

AASCU members who uphold democratic values and know it takes commitment – and community – to graduate students who do the same.

How will you benefit?

  • Supportive and inclusive community
  • Professional development opportunities for all levels of leadership including national and regional meetings
  • National programs, institutes, and projects
  • Critical and relevant resources and webinars
  • Awards and visibility for your campus initiatives

Who do we ask of you?

  • Identify someone to serve as ADP coordinator for your campus
  • Participate in regular assessment of ADP impact
  • Share your insights, challenges, and bold ideas
Current Programs

 

The structure, tools, and community AASCU members need to advance their commitment to quality civic education.

 

Equip students to serve as bridgebuilders in a divided world.

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Support assessment, research, and programmatic efforts that further ADP’s mission.

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A series of voter education and engagement workshops for member campuses.

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We invite all AASCU members to commit publicly to the American Democracy Project.

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Explore issues of civic engagement and public lands at Glacier National Park.

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Events
American Democracy Project Summit

Jul. 13-14, 2025

Indianapolis, IN

Conference

Register today.
AASCU 2025 Summer Meeting for Academic and Student Affairs Leaders

Jul. 15-17, 2025

Indianapolis, IN

Conference

Register today.

 

Featured News & Resources
Impact

 

Civic-minded institutions. Democracy-ready leaders.

 

70% student voting rate

The youth voter rate has been steadily increasing and most college voting rates are hovering at 50%. ADP campuses generally average much higher, with some campuses seeing 70+% turnout.

300+ campuses

Our community extends throughout the U.S. and abroad; we believe in a global commitment to strengthening democracy.

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Guam
Puerto Rico
U.S. Virgin Islands
Bahamas
Canada
Mexico

    “ADP not only offers great resources for anyone in the field of civic learning and democratic engagement but also creates many intentional opportunities to connect meaningfully with faculty, practitioners, and students with a vested interest in the civic health of the United States and the world. I developed many powerful and lasting intra and cross-campus collaborations as a result of my participation in the ADP network.”

    Romy Hübler

    Director of the Office of Civic Engagement & Social Responsibility
    Towson University

    “ADP provides a national network of colleagues who want to explore, understand, and invest in democratic education. It’s a network that people participate in because they believe in the work. I appreciate the á la carte quality, where we are encouraged to find what interests us and what works in our contexts. Contrast this with groups that mandate initiatives, or demand reporting. ADP is a support, not an imposition.”

    Sandy Pope

    Director of the Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement
    Salisbury University (MD)

    “ADP offers faculty and administrators who are committed to democratic engagement the opportunity to grow together. The countless initiatives we have tackled over the years have provided a forward-thinking foundation for student engagement across the country. The connections I have made through my involvement in ADP are invaluable; we are truly a family of scholars!”

    Molly Kerby

    Assistant Provost for Institutional Effectiveness
    Western Kentucky University

    Partners & Awards

    Coalition and Program Partners

    Organizations who provide resources and expertise critical to making ADP possible.

     

    Become an ADP partner.

    ADP Steering Committee

    A group of talented and thoughtful individuals who guide the design and development of ADP programs and practices.

     

    Get involved.

    Civic Engagement Awards

    Awards presented annually at the ADP Summit recognizing leadership in civic engagement on AASCU member campuses.

     

    Learn more.

    Policy Agenda

    AASCU’s commitment to civic engagement extends to the policy arena, where we champion the federal and state policies that expand civic learning and empower campuses to prepare students for informed, active participation in our democracy.

    If preparing engaged citizens is a priority at your institution, contact us to learn how the American Democracy Project can help.

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