Events

Civic Engagement Across the Curriculum (CEAC) at UMD is a professional development program designed to support the integration of civic engagement experiences into any course, regardless of discipline. 

This program is open to all UMD faculty and staff. It is most effective for those who will be teaching a course where they could directly add and/or enhance components of civic engagement or community-based learning. Prior experience with civic engagement strategies or existing community partnerships are not required.  

We will be hosting a virtual info session on February 25th at 10:00 a.m. The info session will be recorded for those who are unable to join.

Learn more, register for the info session, and apply by March 23 for best consideration at tltc.umd.edu/ceac. For questions, email ceac@umd.edu.

Join the Department of Government for the Capitol Hill Lecture Series, co-sponsored by the Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement (CDCE) and the Maryland Democracy Initiative! The Capitol Hill Lecture Series is a initiative by the UMD Department of Government and Politics, and co-sponsored by the Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement and the Maryland Democracy Initiative.  

This series brings Maryland members of Congress to campus to engage with students, faculty, and the broader community.

U.S. Congressman Steny Hoyer, who will join us on Thursday, March 12th from 12:30pm - 1:30pm at 1107 Atrium Room, Adele H. Stamp Student Union.

Date: Saturday, Mar 21 from 9 am to 3 pm EST

Location: Community College of Baltimore County | Dundalk Campus, Lloyd Building

The 2026 Maryland Civic Education & Engagement Leadership Summit is designed to be an energizing, hands-on day where educators, students, parents, civic organizations, and community members learn together, share ideas, and leave inspired to take action. The program connects the ideals of the Declaration of Independence to the real civic questions and opportunities people are navigating today.
Participants can expect interactive conversations, practical workshops, student-led projects showcase, and space to build relationships across schools, organizations, and communities.

Date: April 27, 2026
Time: 4:15-6:00PM
Location: Prince George's Room, Stamp Student Union

A UMD First Book Event, co-sponsored by the Maryland Democracy Initiative and the College of Education, "Who has the Power: The Constitution and Our Role in Securing Democracy," is open to UMD students, faculty, and staff. You'll have a chance to explore sections of the Constitution and hear from experts about the powers of and major controversies involving branches of the federal government. We'll engage in small and large group discussions about what can "We the People" do to support democratic principles and use our power in the current political landscape.

Registration is required for this event.
 

Date: July 28–29, 2026
Location: University of Maryland—College Park

Civic Engagement Across the Curriculum (CEAC) is a professional development program that helps Maryland pre-K–12 educators integrate civic learning into any subject. This year's Summer Institute is designed for middle grade educators and provides practical strategies for digital evaluation skills, student service-learning, and taking informed action.

Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026, Session 1: 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m./Session 2: 2 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.

What role does journalism play in safeguarding democracy? How are today’s reporters navigating an
ever-changing media landscape? Step into the world of modern journalism as our distinguished panel
shares firsthand accounts from the field and how to navigate today’s political environment. Join Professor
Lucy Dalglish's Journalism Law and Ethics class for a compelling conversation between a First
Amendment expert and journalists on campus and off as we explore pressing issues, with a focus on the
emerging challenges to defending press freedom. 

A UMD First Book Event Featuring Freedom Forum, Co-sponsored by the Maryland Democracy Initiative and the Philip Merrill College of Journalism

November 12-14, the Students Learn Students Vote (SLSV) Coalition’s annual National Student Vote Summit will bring together nonprofit organizations, campus staff, administrators, faculty members, philanthropic partners, and students to build connections across the nonpartisan student democratic engagement space, share lessons learned, provide training and resources, and create a shared momentum and energy towards our collective goals going into 2026.

MDI co-hosted a three-day National Student Vote Summit for participants to build connections across the nonpartisan student engagement space and share lessons learned and resources toward collective goals to register, mobilize, and educate college voters.

The UMD community came together to learn about the Supreme Court decisions relating to race-conscious considerations for higher education and engaged in discussions about how to best affirm and ensure UMD attracts, supports, serves, and prepares all Maryland students for life, work, and participation in our shared democracy.

Student-leaders in service-learning from Anne Arundel County public schools visited the University of Maryland on October 28th. Students explored how they could continue their commitment to their communities and civic life after high school. The day included speakers from MDI, the Do Good Institute, and Leadership & Community Service-Learning, a panel of current UMD students, and a campus tour.

The Civic Engagement Across the Curriculum (CEAC) at UMD held its first summer seminar on June 25–26, 2024, with twelve faculty members from seven colleges participating in professional development on integrating civic engagement into courses. Attendees explored techniques like dialogue, service learning, and voting, and completed an asynchronous course developed by Salisbury faculty, now available to all UMD faculty. 

This summer, 18 UMD students in the Laufer Democracy Internship Program led civic projects, like organizing a town hall with Vice President Kamala Harris and creating a Spanish voter ID chatbot. Their work, in partnership with organizations like Vote Early Day, was showcased at the Stamp Student Union with program supporters Marsha and Henry Laufer.

To learn more about the interns' experiences, click here.

The inaugural National High School Voting Summit on July 8th brought together 30 leaders from 20 organizations to explore research-driven strategies for high school voter engagement. Speakers from education sectors shared insights, and attendees proposed research ideas, ultimately selecting a project to evaluate state policies supporting high school voter registration.