UNC–Chapel Hill Launches Summer Civics Institute to Inspire the Next Generation of Civic Leaders
July 6, 2025
UNC's School of Civic Life and Leadership officially kicks off its Summer Civics Institute today, welcoming high school teachers and students from across North Carolina for a residential experience focused on the foundations of American democracy.
In recognition of the nation’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, SCiLL is bringing civics to life through immersive institutes with meaningful conversations around primary texts. Guided by faculty, participants practice close reading, careful listening, and civil disagreement; skills essential to democratic citizenship. Through direct engagement with primary sources, from the Declaration of Independence to the Federalist Papers to the words of Lincoln and Frederick Douglas, faculty and students will explore enduring questions of liberty, equality, and justice.
Throughout the program, attendees will engage with leading scholars and public leaders, including guest lectures and Q&A sessions with Sam Goldman (University of Florida) and Dr. James Patterson (University of Tennessee, Knoxville), as well as a conversations with Dr. Elena Ashburn, Senior Education Advisor to Governor Stein, and State Representative Grant Campbell (District 83).
Participants will live and learn together, with conversations extending beyond the classroom into daily life on campus. Teachers build lasting professional networks, while students form meaningful friendships and a stronger connection to civic life. The faculty institute runs from July 6-9, 2026, followed by the student institute July 12-16. By the end, participants will leave better prepared to think critically and engage thoughtfully with complex civic issues.
For more information, visit the Summer Civics Institutes webpage.
