American Democracy Project

The American Democracy Project (ADP) was established in 2003 as a nonpartisan initiative of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) in partnership with The New York Times. Consisting of a large network of public colleges and universities, ADP’s goal is to “equip students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences to be informed and engaged, ready to tackle current and future issues to ensure a thriving and equitable democracy.”  MSU Denver is proud to be an active institutional member of this program!

ADP currently has 10 programs and initiatives, focused on an array of topics:

• Digital Polarization
• Economic Literacy With Up to Us
• Extending Empathy Project: On the Way to Tulsa
• Global Civic Literacy With World 101
• Measuring the Campus Civic Climate
• Reframing Political Discourse
• Re-Imagining Campus Community Partnerships
• Science for Citizens
• Stewardship of Public Lands
• Voter Education & Engagement

We envision a University-wide commitment, by both curricular and co-curricular programs, to develop students into engaged and informed individuals in our globally-connected democracy. Students, staff, and faculty will develop and employ the skills of democracy, such as collaboration, coordination, dialogue, and deliberation, and MSU Denver students will engage broadly in the processes of participatory democracy

All involved in community and civic engagement activities (students, faculty, staff, and community partners) will have a shared understanding of the impact of engagement on student learning, on community members, and on the University. Lasting, reciprocal, and mutually beneficial relationships with community partners will be valued.