2025 American Democracy Project Summit Call for Proposals

Submit proposals by March 18.
Meeting theme

Full Participation

AASCU invites submissions to present at the American Democracy Project Summit, happening July 13-14, 2025 in Indianapolis, IN. We seek a diversity of perspectives and experiences, and we especially encourage presentations that include students and feature teams. 

Democracy can be frustrating, slow, and contentious. Often, the civic engagement work done on a campus can feel isolated and be un- or under-appreciated. This meeting will change that narrative by showcasing that, through AASCU’s American Democracy Project, there are resources and a community that exists to help build and grow civic engagement within higher education. 

Meeting details.
Proposal formats 

Topical Sessions (45-minute sessions): Presentations, which could be led by an individual or a group, designed to share best practices and/or facilitate conversations about the practical application of civic and community engagement projects. If accepted, you may be paired with another concurrent session to share the 45-minute time block.

Ignite Talks (5-minute sessions): Designed for individuals to share compelling, innovative practices on a large stage, ignite talks use 20 slides that automatically advance every 15 seconds and requires speakers to be concise, prepared, and dynamic. 

Poster Sessions: Textual and graphical presentations of civic engagement projects or research. 

Proposal topics

We recognize how interconnected the field of civic engagement is. This topic selection allows us to maintain a diverse portfolio of options.

What are the key features of the thriving democracy we hope to enact and support through our work?  

  • Navigating legislative challenges 
  • Incorporating and supporting student voice 
  • Redefining political engagement 
  • Incorporating diverse voices in our work 
  • Higher education’s democratic responsibility 
  • Honoring community voices and wisdom—especially for indigenous-serving institutions 
  • Exploring/understanding foundational, democratic documents and their relationship to current affairs 
  • Understanding interrelated concepts of civic engagement, democratic engagement, civic learning service learning, activism, and advocacy 

What knowledge, skills, and dispositions contribute to a thriving democracy, and how do we embed this in our work?  

  • Voter engagement work and results 
  • Increasing civic engagement beyond social sciences; encouraging interdisciplinary efforts 
  • Practicing/modeling difficult conversations/dialogues 
  • Digitial literacy 
  • Bringing curricular and co-curricular efforts together 
  • High impact practices 
  • Experiential learning 
  • AI possibilities 
  • Address the colonization of our educational system 

How can we build the institutional culture, infrastructure, and relationships needed to support learning that enables a thriving democracy? 

  • Institution-wide collaboration and building campus stakeholders 
  • Collaborating with other campuses 
  • Building leadership supports for civic engagement 
  • Aligning institutional mission/values with civic engagement 
  • Integrating campus and community efforts 
  • Building regional support structures 
  • Understanding different campus models for student engagement 
  • Implement and assess institution-wide civic learning objectives 

Please submit your proposal by March 18, 2025.

Note that you will need to complete this form in one sitting, and we recommend that you prepare your materials in a word document and then copy/paste into the form. 

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Session Format*
(See above for format descriptions.)
Selected Session Topic*
(See above for topic descriptions.)
All proposals will be reviewed for relevance to the summit theme of “Full Participation.” For topical sessions, please explain your session goals and how you would engage the audience. For ignite talks and poster sessions, please explain the practice or research that you would share.

Presenters

Eligibility

By submitting this proposal, I agree to the eligibility guidelines.*
Please review the requirements listed below before submitting your proposal.
Eligibility guidelines:

  • Presenters must register for the conference.
  • Presenters are responsible for expenses incurred in conjunction with the conference.
  • Presentations will occur on July 14. Session timing will be decided by AASCU.
Each presenter will:

  • Provide AASCU with presentation materials for posting to the meeting app two weeks prior to the conference.
  • Inform AASCU with more than two weeks notice if an unavoidable conflict arises, making every attempt to substitute a presenter.
  • Be publicly listed on the meeting website and meeting app as a session presenter.
  • Provide a headshot and brief bio, if not already on file.
Please click the button below to submit your session proposal. You will receive an email confirmation that your submission is successful.

Past Aspen – AASCU Transfer Student Success Intensive Cohorts

Learn more.

Cohort 3 (2024-2025)

State 4-Year Institution 2-Year Partner
AL Athens State University John C. Calhoun State Community College
AZ Northern Arizona University Arizona Western College
CA California State University, Channel Islands Oxnard College
IL Western Illinois University Spoon River College
MA Westfield State University Holyoke Community College
TX Texas A&M University – Texarkana Texarkana College
TX University of Houston, Victoria Victoria College
VA James Madison University Blue Ridge Community College
WA Washington State University – Everett Everett Community College
WI University of Wisconsin – Parkside Gateway Technical College

Cohort 2 (2021-2022)

State 4-Year Institution 2-Year Partner System/State Partner
CO Adams State University Trinidad State College
GA Columbus State University Lorain County Community College
IN Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis Ivy Tech Community College | Central Indiana Campus Ivy Tech Community College System
MD University of Maryland Eastern Shore Wor-Wic College
NY State University of New York, College at Geneseo SUNY Corning Community College
NJ New Jersey City University Hudson County Community College
NJ William Paterson University Bergen Community College
NC University of North Carolina Wilmington Piedmont Community College
OH Cleveland State University Lorain County Community College
PA East Stroudsburg University Northampton Community College
SC University of South Carolina Aiken University of South Carolina Palmetto Colleges: USC-Lancaster, USC-Salkehatchie, USC-Sumter, USC-Union
TX Texas A&M University – San Antonio Palo Alto College
TX Texas State University Austin Community College
TX University of Houston – Clear Lake San Jacinto College
WA University of Washington Tacoma Pierce College District
WA Washington State University Vancouver Clark College

Cohort 1 (2021-2022)

State 4-Year Institution 2-Year Partner System/State Partner
CA California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Allan Hancock College
CT Southern Connecticut State University Gateway Community College Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system (CSCU)
FL University of Central Florida Miami Dade College Kendall Campus
MA Salem State University Northern Essex Community College

North Shore Community College

MI Ferris State University Grand Rapids Community College
MN Bemidji State University MN North Colleges: Hibbing Community College, Itasca Community College, Mesabi Range Colleg,e Rainy River Community College, Vermilion Community College
MN Metropolitan State University Minneapolis College
NY State University of New York, Buffalo State College SUNY Erie Community College
NC University of North Carolina – Greensboro Guilford Technical Community College
RI Rhode Island College

University of Rhode Island

Community College of Rhode Island Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner (RIOPC)
SC The Citadel, Military College of South Carolina Trident Technical College
SC Lander University Piedmont Technical College
TX West Texas A&M University Amarillo College
WA Western Washington University Olympic College
WI University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

Questions about the Transfer Student Success Intensive? Let us know.

 

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Past DCLI Cohorts

Meet the alumni from recent Department Chair Leadership Institute cohorts.

Learn more.

2024 DCLI Cohort #1

Jackie

Apodaca

Professor and Co-Chair of Theatre, Faculty Senate Chair

Southern Oregon University

Arne

Baruca

Chair, Management and Marketing Department at the College of Business

Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Maria Alessandra

Bollettino

Chair and Professor of the Department of History

Framingham State University (MA)

Lizabeth

Cain

Associate Professor, Department of Teaching and Learning

State University of New York at New Paltz

Cristóbal

Cardemil-Krause

Chair, Department of Languages and Cultures

West Chester University (PA)

Theresa B.

Clarke

Academic Unit Head and Professor of Marketing

James Madison University (VA)

Caress A.

Dean

Chair, Department of Public and Environmental Wellness and Master of Public Health Program Director

Oakland University (MI)

Dee

Fretwell

Chair, Senior Faculty, School of Business

Southern Oregon University

Anthony L.

Fulmore

Chair and Assistant Professor, Accounting and Finance Department

Texas A&M University-Central Texas

Robin

Gallaher

Chair and Associate Professor, Language, Literature, and Writing

Northwest Missouri State University

Larry

Gibbs

Chair, Healthcare Administration Program

Southern Oregon University

Denise

Gorsline

Chair, School of Communication and Journalism

Minnesota State University Moorhead

Jessica Loyet

Gracey

Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Humanities & Social Sciences

Northwest Missouri State University

Jacqueline J.

Hill

Chair, Department of Nursing

Bowie State University (MD)

Mehruz

Kamal

Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Computing Sciences

State University of New York at Brockport

Elizabeth P.

Karam

Academic Unit Head, Department of Management

James Madison University (VA)

Neelam

Khan

Department Chair of Physics and Pre-Engineering

Georgia Gwinnett College

Ji Young

Kim

Department Chair and Associate Professor of English

Fayetteville State University (NC)

David

Kirschner

Chair, Department of Human Services and Cultural Studies; Associate Professor of Sociology

Georgia Gwinnett College

Danielle T.

Ligocki

Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Teaching and Learning

Oakland University (MI)

Jesse

Longhurst

Chair and Associate Professor, Education

Southern Oregon University

Gerard

Madlambayan

Chair and Professor, Biological Sciences

Oakland University (MI)

Scott L.

Newbert

Chair and Professor, Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovation

City University of New York, Baruch College

Matthew

Pangborn

Chair and Professor, English

Georgia College & State University

Jeffrey

Pietruszynski

Chair, English Department

West Virginia State University

Jonathan D.

Raskin

Chair and Professor, Psychology

State University of New York at New Paltz

Rachna

Sadana

Chair and Professor, Department of Natural Sciences

University of Houston-Downtown (TX)

Marieke C.

Schilpzand

Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Management, International Business, and Business Communications

Georgia Gwinnett College

Kyle

Seifert

Academic Unit Head and Professor, Biology

James Madison University (VA)

Preety

Tripathi

Chair, Math Department

State University of New York at Oswego

Keaghan

Turner

Chair and Associate Professor, Digital Writing and Humanistic Studies

Coastal Carolina University (SC)

Michael

Waldman

Interim Chief Librarian

City University of New York, Baruch College

Jessica

Welsh

Chair and Instructor, Communication Disorders

State University of New York at New Paltz

Concetta A.

Williams

Chair, Department of English, Foreign Languages and Literatures, and Interdisciplinary Programs

Chicago State University (IL)

2024 DCLI Cohort #2

Elizabeth P.

Baltes

Chair, Department of Interdisciplinary Studies

Coastal Carolina University (SC)

Amy

Bartholomew

Chair, Department of Physics and Astronomy

State University of New York at New Paltz

Christa

Beiker

Chair and Professor Allied Health Department

Fort Hays State University (KS)

Ivanete

Blanco

Department Chair and Professor of Graphic Design

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Gregory

Bray

Chair, Digital Media & Journalism

State University of New York at New Paltz

Krista D.

Bridgmon

Department Chair of Counseling Psychology

Colorado State University Pueblo

Rene

Burress

Associate Professor and Department Chair of Educational Technology & Library Science

University of Central Missouri

Leighann J.

Davidson

Assistant Professor and Chair of Criminal Justice

West Virginia State University

Tina Deshotels

Tina

Deshotels

Department Head Sociology and Political Science, Professor of Sociology

Jacksonville State University (AL)

David

Fieni

Associate Professor of French and Chair of the Department of World Languages and Literature

State University of New York at Oneonta

Jeanne

Galbraith

Interim Dean

State University of New York at Geneseo

Paula

Gordon

Interim Dean for the School of Health Sciences, Professor of Nursing

Georgia Gwinnett College

Danielle

Graham

Department Chair of Biological Sciences and Associate Professor

Fayetteville State University (NC)

Nicholas

Grosskopf

Professor and Department Chairperson, Department of Health & Human Performance

City University of New York, York College

Keely

Heuer

Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Art History

State University of New York at New Paltz

Kristina L.

Hillesland

Chair of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

University of Washington Bothell

Eric

Hungenberg

Department Head of Health and Human Performance

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Joe

Huscroft

Chair for the Marketing, Transportation and Supply Chain Department and Professor

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Deborah

James

Chair, Division of Arts and Letters

Governors State University (IL)

Manoj K.

Jha

Professor and Chair, Civil Architect & Environ Engineer

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Charlene M.

Kalenkoski

Academic Unit Head for the Department of Economics

James Madison University (VA)

Andrew Mazz

Marry

Chair of the Bioscience Department

Minnesota State University Moorhead

Dana

Nakano

Chair and Professor of Sociology

California State University, Stanislaus

Rachel

Rachler

Department Chair for Nurse Anesthesia Practice

Central Connecticut State University

Allison Rank

Allison D.

Rank

Associate Professor and Chair, Political Science

State University of New York at Oswego

Selena T.

Rodgers

Chairperson and Professor, Department of Social Work and Founding Director, MSW Program at CUNY York College

City University of New York, York College

Megan

Schoen

Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Writing and Rhetoric

Oakland University (MI)

Amy

Sheldon

Interim Dean, School of Arts & Sciences

State University of New York at Geneseo

Jitendra

Singh

Co-Chair, School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership

Minnesota State University Moorhead

Rhonda A.

Syler

Department Head and Associate Professor, CIS & Business Analytics

James Madison University (VA)

Dillon S.

Tatum

Department Chair, Department of Political Science and Geography

Francis Marion University (SC)

Evan

Trivedi

Associate Professor of Chemistry and Department Chair

Oakland University (MI)

Xia

Wang

Chair of Mechanical Engineering Department

Oakland University (MI)

Xiahua (Anny)

Wei

Associate Dean for Faculty

University of Washington Bothell

Learn more about the Department Chair Leadership Institute.

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Past BAPA Cohorts

Meet the alumni from recent Becoming a Provost Academy cohorts.

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2023-2024 BAPA Cohort

Tabetha

Adkins

Vice Provost for Student Success and Dean, University College

West Chester University (PA)

Jennifer L.

Airey

Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Academic Initiatives and Dean of the Graduate School

University of Tulsa (OK)

Harry Akoh

Harry

Akoh

Dean, School of Arts & Sciences

Atlanta Metropolitan State College (GA)

Magdalena Barrera

Magdalena L.

Barrera

Vice Provost for Faculty Success

San José State University (CA)

Patrice Boyles

Patrice

Boyles

Dean, Continuing Education and Nontraditional Programs

Chicago State University (IL)

Moira

Casey

Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

Miami University Regionals (OH)

David

Chevalier

Associate Vice-President for Academics

East Georgia State College

Carol DeNysschen

Carol A.

DeNysschen

Chair and Professor, Department of Health, Nutrition, and Dietetics

State University of New York at Buffalo

Jane

Dong

Dean, School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering

California State University, Bakersfield

Matthew

Fete

Dean, College of Health Sciences and Pharmacy

Chicago State University (IL)

Kevin

Gustafson

Dean of the Honors College

Northern Arizona University

Ann Hawkins

Ann R.

Hawkins

Assistant Provost for Graduate Education and Research

SUNY System Administration

Cinnamon Hillyard

Cinnamon

Hillyard

Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean for Student Success

University of Washington Bothell

Bethany D.

Hinga

Assistant to the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

University of Nebraska Kearney

Debra Jackson

Debra

Jackson

Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean of Academic Programs

California State University, Bakersfield

Feng-Ling M.

Johnson

Dean of University College & Associate Vice President for Student Success

St. Cloud State University (MN)

Ok-Hee

Lee

Dean of the College of Education and Human Services

Minnesota State University Moorhead

James

Margetts

Dean of Essential Studies and the School of Liberal Arts

Chadron State College (NE)

Keva

Miller

Dean

University of Washington Tacoma

Khadijah Miller

Khadijah O.

Miller

Dean

Norfolk State University (VA)

Mark

Mossman

Associate Provost and Associate Vice President, Academic Affairs

Western Illinois University

Brandi Newkirk-Turner

Brandi L.

Newkirk-Turner

Associate Provost for Academic Affairs

Jackson State University (MS)

Ursula

Payne

Interim Associate Provost

Slippery Rock University (PA)

Holley

Roberts

Associate Provost for Academic Affairs and Director of The Graduate School

Georgia College & State University

Sharleen

Santos-Bamba

Interim Senior Vice President and Provost

University of Guam

Aimee D.

Shouse

Associate Provost and Associate Vice President for Curriculum and Faculty Affairs

Tarleton State University (TX)

Leesa

Thomas Banks

Department Chair

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Binod

Tiwari

Associate Vice President for Research and Sponsored Projects

California State University Fullerton

Vanessa K.

Valdés

Associate Provost for Community Engagement

The City College of New York

Kevin Van Winkle

Kevin

Van Winkle

Associate Dean of Adult Learning

Colorado State University Pueblo

Carmen N.

Veloria

Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs

Central Connecticut State University

Amitra A

Wall

Associate Provost

State University of New York, Buffalo State

Darius

Watson

Executive Director of Academic Initiatives

Lincoln University of Missouri

Patricia

Williams Dockery

Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs

Morgan State University (MD)

Learn more about the Becoming a Provost Academy.

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Past ELA Cohorts

Meet the alumni from recent Eexecutive Leadership Academy cohorts.

Learn more.

2023-2024 ELA Cohort

Mary S.

Alexander

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Western Connecticut State University

Heidi

Anderson-Isaacson

Vice President of Student Development and Success

Alverno College (WI)

Stacey

Berggren

Chief Admissions Officer

Northwest Nazarene University (ID)

Jessica J.

Brown

Vice President for Student Affairs & Athletics

North Central College (IL)

Fredrick Chilson

Fredrick

Chilson

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Lewis-Clark State College (ID)

John

Craig

Senior Vice President for Enrollment, Marketing and Athletics

Calumet College of St. Joseph (IN)

Shawn

Daley

Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer

George Fox University (OR)

Michara Delaney-Fields

Michara

Delaney-Fields

Chief Diversity Officer

Stephen F. Austin State University (TX)

Nathan Evans

Nathan

Evans

Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs

California State University

Nikki

Fennern

Executive Vice President

Judson University (IL)

Vitaliano B.

Figueroa Jr.

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

DoVeanna Fulton

DoVeanna Sherie

Fulton

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Norfolk State University (VA)

Jeffery

Gates

Senior Vice President

Stetson University (FL)

Kamel Haddad

Kamel

Haddad

Dean, Natural and Health Sciences

University of Northern Colorado

Dionne B.

Jackson

Vice President for Institutional Equity

DePauw University (IN)

Angela

Joyner

Vice President for Economic Development and Corporate Education

Radford University (VA)

Monique

LaRocque

Senior Vice President of Learning and Programs/Chief Academic Officer

Saint Joseph’s College of Maine

Paula

Love

Vice President for Finance & Administration

Jarvis Christian University (TX)

Carissa

Massey

Provost

Pennsylvania College of Art & Design

Damara H.

Mitchell

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Voorhees University (SC)

William Moultrie

William R.

Moultrie

Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success

Western Carolina University (NC)

Richard L.

Ogle

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

“California State University, Stanislaus “

Jesse Pisors

Jesse

Pisors

Vice President for University Relations and Advancement

Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Cynthia Polk-Johnson

Cynthia

Polk-Johnson

Vice President for Student Affairs

Tennessee Technological University

Daniel Prosterman

Daniel O.

Prosterman

Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs

Mount Saint Mary’s University (CA)

Michael

Salmeier

Provost and Chief Academic Officer

Bluefield University (VA)

Karen

Soul

Provost

Centenary College of Louisiana

Undria

Stalling

Senior Vice President of Business and Finance & Chief Financial Officer

Morehouse College (GA)

David A.

Starrett

Executive Vice President and Provost

State University of New York at Fredonia

Traki L.

Taylor

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Frostburg State University (MD)

Eden

Wales Freedman

Academic Vice President and Dean of Faculty

Colby-Sawyer College (NH)

Mike Westfall

Michael J.

Westfall

Vice President University Advancement

Oakland University (MI)

Manya Whitaker

Manya

Whitaker

Executive Vice President & Chief of Staff

Colorado College

Joe

Whitehead

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs

Bowling Green State University (OH)

Dannelle Whiteside

Dannelle

Whiteside

Vice President for Legal Affairs and Organizational Strategy

Austin Peay State University (TN)

Beth

Wolfe

Executive Vice President of Enrollment Management

University of Charleston (WV)

Learn more about the Executive Leadership Academy.

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