Surveys show that trust in one another and key institutions, such as government, media, and the courts, has reached historic lows in the U.S. At the same time, hyper-partisan polarization has escalated rapidly over the past 40 years, while participation in large-scale civic institutions and volunteering rates have declined. A host of new campus initiatives offer promising pathways for higher education to reassert its vital role in strengthening democracy by engaging students’ civic learning and supporting their development as civic actors.

Moderated by Danielle Allen. Panelists: John Bridgeland, Cecilia Muñoz, Rajiv Vinnakota, and Jenna Storey