This Citizens & Scholars report looks at the growth and early results of College Presidents for Civic Preparedness, a coalition of college presidents working to make civic preparation part of every student's college experience. The coalition began with 15 presidents in 2023 and has grown to 142 presidents across 33 states and Washington, D.C., reaching more than one million students.
The report focuses on three civic skills students need in college, at work, and in their communities: having productive conversations, using credible information, and working across differences to solve problems. It describes how campuses are building those skills through courses, campuswide events, residence life, faculty development, student-led programs, and community partnerships.
A key part of the report is its first shared measurement baseline. In spring 2026, 23 campuses in the coalition's Campuswide Immersion program collected comparable data from 20,280 students and compared the findings with a nationally representative survey of 3,500 U.S. adults. Students at those campuses reported stronger habits and confidence around listening across differences, understanding other viewpoints, and making evidence-based arguments.
The report is important because it shows that civic learning does not have to be treated as an optional extra. It argues that colleges can intentionally help students practice the skills needed to participate in democracy, build trust across differences, and contribute to their communities after graduation.