The School of Civic Life and Leadership

“At SCiLL, we are educating citizens and leaders for constitutional self-government—graduates who can think clearly, engage disagreement, and lead with purpose in a pluralistic democracy. Over time, that kind of education shapes a state and strengthens a nation.”

Jed Atkins, Director and Dean, School of Civic Life and Leadership

In the News

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September 24, 2026

Understand First, Then Refute: A Libertas Scholar on What SCiLL Does Well

When Sara Beth Syfrett’s editor asked her to write about something at UNC she cared about, the answer came quickly: her SCiLL classes. Syfrett is a Libertas Scholar majoring in economics and public policy, with a minor in civic life and leadership.

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September 16, 2026

No Screens, No Shortcuts: Civ-Comm Students Find Connection in the Mountains

Against a backdrop of archery, lake swims, guitar riffs and campfire gatherings, students and faculty began building the relationships and shared habits that turn a group of residents into a community.

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September 8

SCiLL Peregrine Honors Research Fellows Bring Scholarship to Life at Oxford

This summer, UNC School of Civic Life and Leadership students in the Peregrine Honors Research Fellowship took their independent research beyond campus, bringing questions about civic life, history, politics and culture to Oxford University.

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Public Facing Program

Summer Civics Institutes

The School of Civic Life and Leadership at UNC-Chapel Hill will host Summer Civics Institutes for North Carolina educators and high school students in July 2026.

The Institute will host 20 North Carolina middle and high school teachers on campus at UNC-Chapel Hill, July 6-9, 2026 and 20 high school students, July 12-16. For a deep dive into this year’s two-weeklong campus seminars, watch the video.

The Institutes aim to plant the seeds for serious study of and awareness about history and civics among students and teachers in North Carolina. Students will study primary texts in the American political tradition, cultivate social and intellectual friendships with each other, and connect with UNC-Chapel Hill.

The program is free to students and teachers and includes lodging and a stipend.

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Events

SCiLL helps Carolina live out its promise as the nation’s first public university by hosting programs that address timely public issues, connect the campus with communities across North Carolina, and bring diverse perspectives into meaningful dialogue.

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