The Division of Student Life is spotlighting civic learning with the launch of U-M’s first Civic Learning Week, scheduled for March 9-13. This initiative aligns with a growing focus on preparing students as engaged citizens and workforce-ready individuals. Events and partnerships, co-led by the Division of Student Life and U-M’s Democracy and Civic Engagement Initiative, aim to integrate civic education into the student experience.
Inspired by a national effort to bolster civic education, U-M’s Civic Learning Week will delve into how individuals can shape communities and democratic institutions. This effort reflects the Division of Student Life’s broader commitment to connect academic experiences with real-world applications and community engagement.
“Civic learning empowers our students to understand the world around them and to help shape it thoughtfully, through their choices, conversations and commitments,” said Martino Harmon, vice president for student life. “At its heart, this effort is about fostering a culture where civic values become lifelong habits.”
The Ginsberg Center, known for its election season efforts, is part of a larger ecosystem. More than 20 Student Life units focus on cultivating democracy’s everyday habits, such as dialogue, perspective-taking, and shared decision-making.
“Civic learning is more than showing up to the ballot box,” said Neeraja Aravamudan, director of the Ginsberg Center and a member of U-M’s Democracy and Civic Engagement Initiative’s Steering Committee. “It’s about giving students the tools to engage with their community, navigate differences and take action in everyday life — and then giving them repeated opportunities to put those skills into practice, on and off campus.”
Programming includes workshops on civic engagement pathways and conversations with elected officials. The Division of Student Life is developing a collective impact approach to connect civic learning efforts, guiding students to turn classroom lessons into meaningful community engagement.
Experiential learning occurs year-round through projects and partnerships with community organizations and public service programs. Civic Learning Week highlights these efforts, demonstrating how students tackle real-world challenges and develop collaboration skills.
“Initiatives like this are a reminder that learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door,” said Louise Jackson, director of the University Career Center. “We want to help students see themselves as active participants in their communities and feel prepared for professional success after graduation.”
Civic Learning Week organizers hope the inaugural event will spotlight existing opportunities and inspire new partnerships, encouraging the U-M community to explore new ways of community collaboration and engagement.
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