Civic Leadership for the Common Good

Developing civic skills and knowledge is critical to being an engaged citizen in a polarized world. The Madison Center is the national model of a comprehensive civic engagement center, providing students opportunities for developing their civic muscles for effectively addressing challenging issues. By joining the Madison Center’s programming, students learn to work across differences and develop capacities to see beyond ideology, politics, and preferences to focus on shared values and the common good.

Your support of the Madison Center for Civic Engagement allows us to:

• Provide resources and opportunities for students to productively discuss public issues across ideological divides, such as those through the suite of Better Conversations Together programs, while developing and implementing plans for informed participation in civic life. Over 84% of students attending our Better Conversations Together workshops and programs report improved civic attitudes and competencies.
• Expand the new civic leadership minor and develop a robust scholarship program for students exploring engaged public service leadership internships and research, including authoring and editing the Civic Leadership in the Commonwealth magazine.
• Work alongside community, state, and national partners on civic learning initiatives and events such as the Governor’s Fellows Program, which places students in positions in the Governor’s Office and in various agencies throughout state government.
• Build year-round voter education and engagement initiatives that move democracy beyond barriers with students, faculty, staff, and the greater Harrisonburg community. The Democracy Fellows student program reaches across campus to engage students as voters. With 90% of Dukes registered to vote in the last presidential election, Dukes do vote!

Give to the James Madison Center for Civic Engagement.