Civic Engagement Events

Since the USM Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement Workgroup first convened in 2017, the USM has hosted several events to bring together civic education and civic engagement (CECE) experts from our 12 universities, national and statewide higher education organizations, media, and state and local government. These events provide a forum where university leaders can exchange best CECE practices and identify opportunities to strengthen the culture of civic engagement at their institution.

Upcoming Events

SLSV Logo

National Student Vote Summit

November 20 - 22, 2024 | University of Maryland, College Park

Program Information and Registration


The Students Learn Students Vote (SLSV) Coalition's annual National Student Vote Summit will unite nonprofit leaders, campus staff, administrators, faculty members, philanthropic partners, and students from across the country. This summit aims to build connections within the nonpartisan student democratic engagement space, share valuable lessons learned, provide comprehensive training and resources, and ignite a shared momentum toward our collective goals for 2025. Student leaders from University System of Maryland universities are encouraged to attend. Registration for students is $50; interested students can check with the student voting program on your campus to see if funding is available to cover your costs.


PACE Logo

Democracy Across the Disciplines Lecture Series

September 9 - December 9, 2024

Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement (PACE)

Salisbury University


Sponsored by PACE, this weekly lecture series is open to the public and covers a broad range of topics, including free speech on campus, ballot access, peace and justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and advocacy for social and political issues.


Recent Events

CDI Logo

Strategies to Foster Constructive Dialogue on Maryland Campuses

Presented by the USM and the Constructive Dialogue Institute

September 5, 2024 | 2:00-3:00 p.m.


During this free webinar, the Constructive Dialogue Institute shared practical strategies to mitigate conflict, maintain community, and turn elections into opportunities for students to engage constructively across lines of difference. Together, Maryland can be a national leader in modeling how public education can foster civic engagement and prepare the next generation for democracy.


Workshop on Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement

Workshop on Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement

August 8, 2024 | UMBC Tech Center South

UMBC Tech Center South


Hosted by USM, this free workshop assisted campuses in preparing for the 2026 Elective Classification for Community Engagement. This full-day of panels, discussions, and action was led by Cammie Jones-Friedrichs of the American Council on Education and Dr. Alexander "Sandy" Pope from PACE at Salisbury University. The workshop aimed to demystify the application process by including an orientation to both the classification and reclassification frameworks, an explanation of additions and revisions to the documentation framework, including the civic learning and agency section, a review of the documentation framework and complete application, and a discussion of strategies that have been effective for successful applications. Participants met with ACE staff, scholars, and practitioners to discuss their experiences and best practices with community-engaged teaching and scholarship.


USM Symposium on Civic Education and Civic Engagement

USM Symposium on Civic Education and Civic Engagement

November 3, 2023 | Towson University


The 2023 Symposium brought together nearly 200 students, faculty, and staff from across the System and featured sessions led by U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin and Sec. Paul Monteiro of the Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation, as well as speakers representing the American Council on Education, the Civic Learning and Democracy Engagement Coalition, the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE).


Featured Speakers and Program


USM Civic Education and Civic Engagement Workshop

USM Civic Education and Civic Engagement Workshop

November 8, 2019 | UMBC Technology Center


The 2019 Workshop included keynote address by Regent Linda Gooden, a student panel moderated by Regent Michelle Gourdine, and breakout groups facilitated by three committees (Carnegie Classification, Curricular Integration, and Voting and Census). The Curriculum Integration Committee introduced a Maturity Model tool for campuses to assess current civic education integration. In addition, Prabhat Gautam, Data Manager for NSLVE, presented a summary report on the voter registration and voting statistics across the USM.


Featured Speakers and Program

Breakout Session Summaries

NSLVE Report: USM Student Voting Rates

Civic Engagement Implementation Maturity Model


Langenberg Lecture 2017 Langenberg Lecture 2017

Langenberg Lecture and Symposium
Civic Education, Civic Engagement, and Civic Responsibility: Foundations of a Democratic Society

April 20, 2017 | University of Maryland, Baltimore


The 2017 Langenberg Lecture and Symposium was hosted by the University of Maryland, Baltimore and sponsored by by the USM Foundation with collaboration from Maryland Association of Community Colleges, Maryland Higher Education Commission, Maryland Independent Colleges and Universities Association, Maryland State Department of Education. The event featured a conversation with former U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski, a panel discussion on the role of information in democracy, and breakout sessions for leaders from across the P-20 spectrum to discuss the role of higher education in democracy.


Featured Speakers and Program

Video: 2017 Langenberg Lecture by Senator Mikulski

Breakout Session Summaries