{"id":14,"date":"2026-04-10T18:10:16","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T23:10:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/?page_id=14"},"modified":"2026-09-01T09:18:07","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T14:18:07","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/","title":{"rendered":"Civic Engagement"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uwsa-background-color-block angle-top alignfull has-dark-blue-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"907\" height=\"604\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/385\/2026\/04\/wiccd-banner-2000-1536x604-1-edited.png\" alt=\"Students talking in a group\" class=\"wp-image-240\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.5016730697732061\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/385\/2026\/04\/wiccd-banner-2000-1536x604-1-edited.png 907w, https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/385\/2026\/04\/wiccd-banner-2000-1536x604-1-edited-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/385\/2026\/04\/wiccd-banner-2000-1536x604-1-edited-768x511.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 907px) 100vw, 907px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Overview<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Office of Civic Engagement for the Universities of Wisconsin advances civic learning, democratic participation, and meaningful community engagement across campuses and communities. Through dialogue, collaboration, and civic action, the office empowers students, faculty, staff, and community partners to connect across differences, strengthen democratic practices, and address shared challenges. By fostering a culture of engagement and belonging, the office strives to be a national leader in building informed, connected, and civically engaged communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em><strong>Wisconsin Civics Games<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-style-yellow is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Nearly 200 students representing 52 teams from 33 schools across Wisconsin participated in the 2026 Wisconsin Civics Games, demonstrating student engagement in civics education and democratic participation statewide.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/wi-civics-games\/\">Learn More<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">UW Programs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uwsa-accordion\">\n<details class=\"wp-block-uwsa-panel\"><summary>OCE Internal Grant Program<\/summary><div class=\"panel-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">OCE administers internal grants&nbsp;to support innovative initiatives aligned with&nbsp;its&nbsp;mission and vision. This program funds projects proposed by UW employees and students that advance civic learning, democratic engagement, and positive campus culture across the Universities of Wisconsin.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Spring 2026 Grant Cycle<\/strong><br>Applications for the past cycle closed on May 1, 2026, and funding decisions were announced on June 1, 2026. Congratulations to this year\u2019s recipients!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Looking Ahead<\/strong><br>Please check back for updates. The next cycle is set to open September 1, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/grant\/\">Learn More<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-uwsa-panel\"><summary>K12 Civics Seminars<\/summary><div class=\"panel-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">OCE is excited to announce a major new initiative:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>$1.1 million grant<\/strong>&nbsp;from the U.S. Department of Education<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>18+ teacher training sessions<\/strong>&nbsp;across Wisconsin (2026-2028)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>13 UW campus locations<\/strong>&nbsp;from Eau Claire to Parkside<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Multiple partners<\/strong>&nbsp;including the Jack Miller Center and Wisconsin Civic Learning Coalition<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This three-year project will strengthen civic education for students across public, charter, and voucher schools statewide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wisconsin-civic-education-teacher-training-project\/\">Learn More<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-uwsa-panel\"><summary>Trainings and Workshops<\/summary><div class=\"panel-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">OCE provides engaging professional development on civil dialogue, campus climate, the First Amendment, and civic participation. From quick, interactive webinars to immersive,&nbsp;full\u2011day&nbsp;in\u2011person&nbsp;workshop, OCE&nbsp;will meet campuses where they are and help them go further.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/uw-training-programming\/\">Learn More<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-uwsa-panel\"><summary>Community of Practice<\/summary><div class=\"panel-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">OCE fosters collaboration across UW campuses to strengthen civic learning and engagement. The&nbsp;expanded group&nbsp;brings together over 30 members&nbsp;representing&nbsp;all 13 Universities of Wisconsin, creating a shared network for learning, collaboration, and support. Together, members developed the following shared description&nbsp;of civic engagement&nbsp;in the context of higher education:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Civic engagement is the intentional creation and sustainment of learning communities that equip individuals and groups to understand and practice their collective rights and responsibilities as active participants in democracy and civil society. This work is grounded in respect, collaboration, and constructive engagement across campuses and communities.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Topics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uwsa-link-box\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/academic-freedom-and-free-expression\/\"><div class=\"copy-wrapper\"><div class=\"link-list-label\">Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom<\/div><div class=\"link-list-description\">Through elevating&nbsp;stories that highlight campus&nbsp;academic freedom and free expression&nbsp;efforts, collecting engagement data, and supporting annual compliance reporting,&nbsp;the&nbsp;OCE ensures systemwide compliance&nbsp;with Regent Policy Document 4-21&nbsp;(RPD&nbsp;4-21).<\/div><\/div><\/a><div class=\"nested-links\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uwsa-nested-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/regents\/policies\/commitment-to-academic-freedom-and-freedom-of-expression\/\">RPD 4-21<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uwsa-link-box\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/civil-discourse\/\"><div class=\"copy-wrapper\"><div class=\"link-list-label\">Civil Discourse<\/div><div class=\"link-list-description\">The Universities of Wisconsin strive to cultivate an environment where living, learning, and working are embraced by mutual respect.<\/div><\/div><\/a><div class=\"nested-links\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uwsa-nested-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/regents\/policies\/commitment-to-academic-freedom-and-freedom-of-expression\/\">RPD 4-21<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>UW Programs Topics<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6468,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-14","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-09-08 22:17:44","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6468"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14"}],"version-history":[{"count":39,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":543,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14\/revisions\/543"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}