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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.
Tisch College seeks to reach across the entire University, embedding civic learning experiences across all Schools and programs at Tufts. And in that effort, Leanne Loo, A22, is providing a road map for student learning and community impact.
Democracy in the United States is under its biggest threat in decades. In the Saving Democracy series, Tisch College experts explore the challenges facing democracy today and our best hopes for safeguarding it.
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 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
- Ruby Belle Booth of CIRCLE is quoted from an NPR interview in which she noted that the 2022 midterms represented “high civic engagement” among younger voters. Graphics showing CIRCLE’s analysis as part of the 2022 Edison Research National Election Pool exit poll are included.The Conversation
- Abby Kiesa of CIRCLE is quoted throughout this article on the impact of youth voting, noting the “need to invest in early democratic participation so we have long term strong democratic participation across a wide diversity of communities." CIRCLE research on youth voting in the midterms is also included.USA Today
- CIRCLE data on the youth vote in the midterms, including turnout numbers, trends, and analysis is included throughout this article.Teen Vogue
News & Updates
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The award recognizes his long service to the city and his collaborative partnership with Tufts . -
The activist and former NAACP Legal Defense Fund president discussed the country’s growing pains as it works to secure voting rights for all . -
Convincing Americans—especially the young and the marginalized— to cast their ballots is essential to the health of our democracy. -
In the summer of 2022, Tufts University made the decision to close the Institute for Global Leadership (IGL) as a Provost-based institute and to transition its programs to the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life. -
An expert at Tufts’ Center for State Policy Analysis gives a detailed—and nonpartisan—explanation of Question 1. -
Protecting democracy isn’t just a job for Washington. The system thrives when citizens take part—and work together—at the local level. -
From political polarization to voters who don't like to see their side lose, we’re in a time that will test just how resilient our democracy is . -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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.
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But researchers have a plan to nurture the next generation of voters.