2027 American Democracy Project Conference
Join the American Democracy Project (ADP) community in Los Angeles to explore how civic learning, student development, and the power of place prepare students to thrive in college and contribute to the communities they call home.
Registration opens Nov. 15.
Students, community, and the power of place.
For students, democracy is not simply something to study. It is something they experience and practice—in classrooms, residence halls, student organizations, campus dialogue, internships, public service, and community partnerships. Through these experiences, students learn to think critically, collaborate across differences, exercise voice and agency, and connect their education to the people and places around them.
These opportunities matter for students and for democracy. They can strengthen belonging, purpose, relationships, and engagement while developing capacities that support persistence, career preparation, and life beyond college.
For regional public universities (RPUs), the relationship between students, community, and place is especially consequential. Our institutions are not just located in communities; they are rooted in them and interdependent with them. Communities are essential partners in educating students and fulfilling our public missions.
The 2027 American Democracy Project Conference brings together faculty, staff, students, campus leaders, and community partners to share ideas, research, promising approaches, and practical strategies for connecting civic and democratic learning to student success and the vitality of the regions our institutions serve.
What to Expect:
- Educational sessions featuring campus strategies, research, assessment, and emerging approaches
- Poster sessions and ADP Ignite Talks showcasing ideas and lessons from across the ADP community
- Meaningful exchange with faculty, staff, students, institutional leaders, and community partners
- Examples connecting civic learning to belonging, agency, persistence, career readiness, and life beyond college
- Opportunities to build relationships and adapt ideas for your own campus and community
- Conversations about the distinctive public purpose of RPUs
Who should attend:
- Faculty across all disciplines
- Student affairs professionals
- Students
- Presidents, chancellors, provosts, and other senior campus leaders
- Community partners
- Civic and community engagement leaders on campus
Benefits of participation:
- Gain practical approaches for connecting civic and democratic learning with students’ educational experiences and development
- Explore how civic skills—including critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving—prepare students for careers and community life
- Learn how institutions are creating conditions for student voice, belonging, purpose, and meaningful participation
- Build lasting relationships with colleagues and partners from RPUs across the country
- Examine reciprocal campus-community partnerships and the ways place shapes institutional mission and student opportunity
program highlights
Ideas, relationships, and approaches you can bring home.
The 2027 ADP Conference will feature educational sessions, posters, and Ignite Talks exploring five interconnected areas: Civic Learning and Student Development; Dialogue and Engagement Across Difference; Student Voice; Institutional Culture and the Student Experience; and Community and Stewardship of Place.
- Educational sessions: Explore promising campus practices, research and assessment, institutional strategies, partnerships, and innovations—with particular attention to student development and learning during and beyond college.
- Poster sessions: Share research, campus initiatives, assessment findings, emerging approaches, and works in progress through informal, interactive conversations.
- ADP Ignite Talks: Experience compelling five-minute main-stage presentations using 20 slides that automatically advance every 15 seconds. Each talk brings one idea, story, challenge, lesson, or possibility into focus.
Preliminary Schedule at a glance
Conference programming and opportunities to connect. Detailed schedule forthcoming.
Conference programming and closing conversations. Detailed schedule forthcoming.
Register for the 2027 ADP Conference by June 4.
American Democracy Project Conference
June 5–6
Join us in Los Angeles for two days of ideas, connection, and shared learning.
- Registration: $250
- Please contact Frank E. Ross, director, American Democracy Project, with any questions
Compact27
June 7–9
The ADP Conference takes place immediately before Campus Compact’s Compact27 Annual Conference in Los Angeles. The conferences are separate events with distinct programming. Participants may attend ADP independently or extend their experience by attending Compact27.
Combination registration for ADP and Compact27 opens Nov. 15.
Frequently asked questions
No. If you only want to attend the ADP Conference, register here.
No. If you plan to attend both, register through Campus Compact. When you register for Compact27, you will select the ADP Conference as part of your registration process.
We believe collaboration is essential in this moment. Campus Compact’s mission to advance civic and community engagement in higher education aligns closely with AASCU’s goals for ADP. Convening alongside their annual meeting allows us to strengthen partnerships, share strategies, and broaden our collective impact. We also hope this will maximize affordability and access for our ADP campuses, as we know conference travel can be expensive and time-consuming.
No.
Yes. If you sign up to attend ADP, you will get Campus Compact member pricing for Compact27.
Accommodations
InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown
900 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Reservation information coming soon.
AASCU is committed to making our convenings accessible to all individuals. If you need auxiliary aids or services, please email us at the time you register.
By participating in an AASCU conference, you are automatically authorizing AASCU to use your name, photograph, voice, or another likeness for purposes related to the mission of AASCU, including but not limited to publicity, marketing, websites, social media vehicles, and any other AASCU-related electronic forms or media for the promotion of AASCU and its various programs.
Please complete the form at the bottom of this page to inquire about partnership opportunities for this event.
Conference Partner
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