AASCU Presidential Delegation to NAFSA 2026
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Comments to DHS on the Proposed H-1B Lottery Rule
Urge to withdraw a proposed rule prioritizing H-1B visas by wage level.
Global Learning as a Pathway to Civic Education
Building global affairs literacy to prepare students as civic leaders in today’s interconnected world.
Letter to DHS on Duration of Status Rule
Expressing concerns that the proposed rule is
unnecessarily burdensome and costly.
Comments to ICE on Duration of Status Rule
Raising serious concerns and in strong opposition to the proposed rule.
American Democracy Project at Compact26
Join us in Chicago to focus on civic learning at regional public universities.
Voter Education & Engagement
AASCU Members are empowering students as informed, active participants in the democratic process, from voter registration to lifelong civic engagement.
The Value
- Making voter registration as accessible and seamless as possible gives students a clear path to influence the issues that shape their daily lives, like housing and healthcare.
- When students understand what’s on their ballot, they make voting decisions with confidence and motivation to play their part.
- Getting involved in elections through volunteering at polls or helping friends register engages students as civic leaders.
The Practice
- Make voter registration part of campus life. Include it during orientation, course sign-up, or residence hall check-in so students can register with ease.
- Help students understand the ballot, issue by issue. Share clear, fact-based resources that go beyond candidates to what’s actually being decided.
- Bring voting to campus. Work with local officials to offer on-campus polling places or early voting sites so students don’t have to choose between class and civic duty.
- Train students to register their peers. Support student ambassadors who organize registration drives, classroom shout-outs, or voter education campaigns.
- Encourage election-season “energy.” Host debate watch parties, town hall discussions, or “vote together” walks to build momentum and community around participation.
Values in Practice
Member Impact
70%
of AASCU campus students exercise the right to vote, compared to 50% of students at other colleges.
Member Spotlights
Stewardship of Place
AASCU Members are deepening their institution’s role as a community anchor, fostering connections that link student learning with local impact.
The Value
- Universities thrive when they partner with communities, fostering mutual growth and shared success.
- Embedding community engagement into campus culture enriches learning and strengthens regional ties.
- Equitable collaboration between campuses and communities drives innovation and addresses local challenges.
The Practice
- Integrate community engagement into curriculum. Embed service-learning, applied research, and civic projects into coursework across disciplines.
- Build reciprocal partnerships with local organizations. Co-create initiatives with community partners that address shared challenges and center local expertise.
- Use data to inform regional engagement efforts. Track economic, health, and social indicators to align institutional strategies with community priorities.
- Recognize and reward public engagement. Incentivize faculty and staff who advance the university’s public mission through teaching, research, or service.
- Align institutional strategy with regional needs. Make community impact a strategic priority—reflected in planning, budgeting, and leadership development.
- Support student leadership in community work. Provide pathways for students to lead public projects, internships, and dialogue that advance the common good.
Values in Practice
Member Spotlights
Related Programs
Explore issues of civic engagement and public lands at Glacier National Park.
Leadership & Culture
AASCU Members are fostering campus environments where democratic values, civic responsibility, and inclusive participation shape student learning and engagement.
The Value
- Integrating democratic values into campus culture empowers students to become active, engaged citizens committed to the public good.
- Equipping students with civic skills and agency prepares them to navigate complex societal challenges and contribute meaningfully to democracy.
- Fostering inclusive, participatory learning environments strengthens democratic engagement and cultivates a sense of community responsibility.
The Practice
- Align mission and strategy with democratic values. Ensure institutional plans reflect a public purpose and commitment to civic learning and social responsibility.
- Create space for participatory governance. Involve students, faculty, and staff in shared decision-making to model democratic processes on campus.
- Support civic learning across all disciplines. Embed opportunities for public problem-solving and civic inquiry into courses beyond political science or public affairs.
- Develop leadership with a civic lens. Equip institutional leaders to champion democracy, build trust, and advance inclusive campus culture.
- Foster campus dialogue on democratic challenges. Host regular forums where the campus community can engage different viewpoints and explore pressing public issues.
- Build community partnerships for the common good. Collaborate with local organizations to connect students with real-world efforts that strengthen democracy.
Values in Practice
MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS
Civic Literacy & Inquiry
AASCU Members are supporting students’ critical thinking, civic awareness, and reflective engagement as they navigate complex social and political issues.
The Value
- Empowering students as co-creators of democracy gives them real-world experience shaping policy, leading change, and taking civic action now—not later.
- Embedding civic learning across the curriculum equips graduates to make thoughtful decisions in their workplaces, communities, and daily lives.
- Building welcoming campus cultures strengthens trust across lines of difference, laying the groundwork for more resilient, united communities.
The Practice
- Embed civic learning across disciplines. Integrate civic inquiry, public problem-solving, and policy literacy into courses from STEM to the humanities.
- Support student-led civic action. Provide resources and mentorship for students to organize, advocate, and lead change in their communities.
- Center democratic participation in campus life. Host voter registration drives, town halls, and deliberative forums to make civic engagement part of the student experience.
- Equip faculty to foster civic development. Support educators in designing courses that explore social responsibility, power, and public voice.
- Collaborate with local communities. Build partnerships that allow students to engage with real-world challenges and contribute to public solutions.
- Help students see their role in shaping democracy. Design programs that affirm their experiences and inspire agency in civic and community life.
Related Programs
Support assessment, research, and programmatic efforts that further ADP’s mission.
