Announcements and Democracy Digest
Announcements
Posted: February 2025
The 2025 Maryland Civic Education and Engagement Leadership Summit took place on Monday, February 17, 2025, at St. John's College in Annapolis, MD. The event brought together students, educators, and community leaders for an afternoon of inspiring speakers, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities. Participants gained valuable insights on civic education and community engagement, enhancing their leadership skills and connecting with like-minded peers to drive positive change.
Posted: February 2025
From November 20-22, 2024, the University of Maryland hosted the Students Learn Students Vote (SLSV) Coalition’s National Student Vote Summit, bringing together over 300 participants, including 200 students from 35 states and D.C. Sponsored by MDI, TerpsVote, UMD, VoteRiders, and others, the summit focused on strengthening nonpartisan student voter engagement through panels, workshops, and discussions.
Key highlights included the Democracy Heroes panel, moderated by Maryland Secretary of Service and Civic Innovation D. Paul Monteiro Jr., and a focus on tackling student voter apathy through education and sustained engagement. The event concluded with the 2024 SLSV Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to the StudentVote movement.
UMD’s delegation left inspired to continue fostering civic engagement on campus. Read the full recap here.
Posted: February 2025
On October 30, 2024, the Maryland Democracy Initiative (MDI) and the College of Education co-sponsored Framing Election Discourse in the Classroom. This event was designed for pre-service teachers and students, both undergraduate and graduate, who were interested in pursuing a career in education.
As Election Day approached, the event provided support and resources for teaching about voting and elections, fostering a classroom culture where students felt safe and heard, and navigating difficult conversations in class, particularly after the election.
Posted: February 2025
On October 10, 2024, The Maryland Democracy Initiative was proud to co-sponsor the Living Democracy Symposium:
Organized by our colleagues in UMD Libraries, the interdisciplinary symposium examined the actions that individuals can take to preserve democracy. This one-day event provided opportunities for civic discourse, sharing new perspectives, and learning about how our collective history—from the Watergate scandal to contemporary narratives—shapes our present and future.
Attendees engaged with exciting speakers and panel discussions that explored the importance of civic engagement, activism, intellectual and academic freedom, and journalism in protecting democracy. One of the featured panelists was Dr. Sarah Oates, MDI's co-principal investigator, Associate Dean for Research, Professor, and Senior Scholar from the Philip Merrill College of Journalism. She is also the author of Seeing Red: Russian Propaganda and American News.
Posted: February 2025
On October 8, 2024, START, in collaboration with the National Capital Chapter of ASIS International, the Maryland Democracy Initiative, and Axis Communications, co-hosted a hybrid event on "Election Security & Resilience."
The day-long event featured morning panel discussions with experts on election security, including College of Education Professor and MDI Team Member Doug Lombardi, and an afternoon interactive exercise. Discussions addressed physical, cyber, and mis/disinformation threats to the 2024 U.S. elections and explored strategies to enhance election resilience.
Posted: April 2024
On April 25, MDI's investigative partners at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism released its first-ever Maryland Local News Ecosystem Study, which examines the state of local news in Maryland.
The report includes a landscape assessment aimed at identifying all the outlets offering news and information in the state; a content analysis of those outlets offering news; a comprehensive survey of editors and news directors regarding their needs, challenges, staffing and finances; and thumbnail descriptions of each local news outlet in Maryland.
Access to news and information is at the heart of a thriving democracy.
Posted: April 2024
University of Maryland alum's two $100,000 gifts to UMD will support voter mobilization efforts, establishing the Laufer Democracy Internship as part of the teaching and learning pillar of the Maryland Democracy Initiative. With a critical election approaching this fall, the gifts from Marsha and Henry Laufer will accelerate efforts across UMD to strengthen democracy and dramatically accelerate UMD’s work in this area. The gift will support the Laufer Democracy Internship Program, a prestigious opportunity for 18 top UMD students to receive summer funding to work in some of the most impactful organizations in the nation working to strengthen voter mobilization and voter education in colleges and schools. Learn more.
Posted: March 2024
Civic Engagement Across the Curriculum (CEAC) at UMD - a new professional development program funded by a grant from the University System of Maryland. The program is designed to support the integration of civic engagement experiences into any planned or designed course. This program is open to all UMD faculty and staff who will be teaching a course in 2024-2025 or 2025-2026, where they could directly add and/or enhance components of civic engagement or community-based learning. There are two options for engagement in this program: an online course or a combination of the online course and a summer seminar. Those completing the online course + the summer seminar are eligible for a stipend of approximately $700. Learn more about the two CEAC program options. Register for the CEAC information session on April 2.
Posted: March 2024
The Maryland Democracy Initiative congratulates Dr. Sarah McGrew, MDI team member and Assistant Professor, Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership in the College of Education, who received the Harry J. Carman Award at the 2024 Middle States Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference. This award is presented to an outstanding college professor who supports social studies through effective research, teaching, integrity, service, and professional excellence.
Posted: February 2024
Calling all change-makers! Dive into the heart of democracy with the paid Laufer Democracy Summer Internship program! Our hybrid, full-time positions in the vibrant DC metropolitan area offer a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the intricate workings of our democracy. Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors should apply by March 5 for best consideration. More information and application form - Laufer Democracy Intern.
Posted: February 2024
Lena Morreale Scott, MDI lead Principal Investigator and Co-chair of the Maryland Civic Education Coalition (MDCEC), joined MDCEC colleagues and youth advisory council members, as well as Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation Secretary, Paul Monteiro, to testify in the Maryland General Assembly on behalf of SB 762: Maryland Civic Excellence Program. SB 762 would establish a voluntary program in which school systems can recognize students and public schools for their civic readiness and civic engagement efforts. Bill sponsors in the Senate: Senator Cheryl Kegan (District 17) and Senator Justin Ready (District 5).
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