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The only university-wide college of its kind, Tisch College studies and promotes the civic and political engagement of young people at Tufts University, in our communities, and in our democracy.
Kyrielle Lord, E24 and Sam Markowitz, A23 combined their interest in environmental stewardship and passion for social change as Tisch Summer Fellows at the Mystic River Watershed Association this summer.
When youth-led movements are willing to work with politicians on both sides, life-saving change is possible, says activist and Parkland school shooting survivor David Hogg.
Tisch College will welcome speakers to campus this semester who are grappling with a central theme: the fight for democracy. Hear from leaders like March for Our Lives co-founder David Hogg, NAACP Legal Defense Fund's Sherrilyn Ifill and many more.
Tisch College’s fall speaker series highlights civic leaders exploring topics such as voting rights, gun violence, misinformation, abortion, and education policy.
Dayna Cunningham, the new Tisch College dean, outlines key opportunities and responsibilities for higher education in shaping the next generation of engaged citizens.
Education
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The Civic Studies major is an interdisciplinary field of study that provides an intellectually rigorous foundation to engaging with communities and solving problems. -
Each summer, more than 100 Tufts students hone their professional skills while contributing to communities near and far through substantive summer internships that pursue the public good. -
Tisch College and Tufts University offer incoming students the opportunity to participate in a first-semester program that combines academic and experiential learning with a focus on community engagement and social and environmental justice.
Research
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Tisch College's Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning & Engagement conducts some of the nation's leading research on youth voting, civic education, and young people's participation in democracy. -
Our Institute for Democracy & Higher Education, which studies and promotes the political learning and engagement of college students, will soon release aggregate data on voting and registration rates of students in more than 1,000 institutions. -
Our newest research center focuses on publishing expert, scholarly, nonpartisan analyses on pending legislation and ballot questions in Massachusetts.
Practice
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Tisch College's student-led voter education and engagement initiative works to ensure that all Tufts students are registered and ready to vote in every election cycle. -
Tisch College supports the Tufts chapter of Jumpstart, an early education organization that helps local children in underserved schools thrive. -
Founded and housed at Tisch College, this international association of universities committed to strengthening civic life globalizes our mission and expands our impact around the world.
In the News
- Evan Horowitz of cSPA comments on the center’s new report predicting the impact of a new lawif upheld by Ballot Question 4—that allows people without legal immigration status to obtain driver’s licenses. He notes that the issue is a "values-focused" one that tends to polarize voters.The Boston Globe
- This article cites data from CIRCLE on Black youth voting in Georgia in the 2020 election and in the 2021 Georgia Senate runoffsNBC News
- Adam Gismondi of IDHE is quoted in this article on student and youth voter turnout, as well as voter access in the upcoming midterm elections.Inside Higher Ed
News & Updates
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When neighbors know who they can turn to during storms and heat waves, communities are more resilient to climate change. Tufts researchers are helping to build those social connections. -
But researchers have a plan to nurture the next generation of voters. -
Bill Aims to Expand Youth Civic Participation
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Tisch College Research Centers Focus on Educating and Empowering Young Voters -
EPIIC is among the programs moving to connect more closely with Tufts’ civic mission. -
More than two-thirds of young people support legal abortion, and potentially could swing elections in key races, says Tufts youth voting expert. -
Through the Tufts University Prison Initiative of Tisch College, the first cohort of incarcerated students earn associate degrees—the first group to do so in state history. -
The Community Service Learning program through Tisch College and the School of Medicine offers medical students opportunities for hands-on practice in aspects of health care outside clinics. -
“I think that civic engagement really is the base of it all”: Dr. Adam Normandin’s work with patients experiencing homelessness comes full circle. -
New coalition will serve as a platform for collaboration and policy innovation, leveraging the knowledge and resources of Tufts University -
White House advisor Gina McCarthy, AG81, and Senator Ed Markey, H19, speak at Massachusetts Climate Summit. -
The Tufts alum and longest-serving congressman from Oregon reflects on his career and on the future of democracy.