Civic Preparedness, Civil Discourse
The College helps prepare the next generation of well-informed citizens
Higher education is being called upon to help address the disillusionment and frustration that many young people feel about the U.S. political system. Through College Presidents for Civic Preparedness, participating U.S. college presidents—including President Harriet Nembhard—pledge to prepare the next generation of well-informed, productively engaged and committed citizens; defend free expression, civil discourse and critical inquiry as essential civic norms; and increase thoughtful engagement and better understanding by students for the effective functioning of our democracy.
“The better the College can increase its capacity to prepare students to be active and engaged citizens advocating for science, the more impact it will have in ensuring that scientific evidence informs decision-making and research applications in the service of humanity,” says Nembhard.
Civic learning and engagement programming at Harvey Mudd is managed through the Office of Civic and Community Engagement, directed by Gabriela Gamiz. During activities for the 2024–2025 academic year, Gamiz says that students will explore what polarization is, how it contributes to their civic identity and how it consciously or unconsciously affects how they exercise the power of their voices and their right to vote. “We’ll provide tools that can help students have more curious conversations and perspectives.”
A sample of fall semester civic learning and engagement efforts
Book club. I Never Thought of it That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times, by Monica Guzman.
Living Room Conversations. In-person events for HMC students before and after general election.
Bridging the Divide Speaker Series. Topics include What is polarization? (history, present and future outlook).
Participation in the College Bowl via Unify America. Two college students with diverse views/backgrounds discuss hot-button issues, find common ground and discover how to have a respectful conversation without conflict.
MotiVote. A resource that can help students register to vote and make a plan to vote.