Towson University is proud to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ (AASCU) nonpartisan American Democracy Project© by recommitting to the initiative's guiding principles of civic and democratic engagement. 

The nonpartisan initiative has engaged thousands of campus leaders, faculty, staff and students to equip college graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary to be informed and engaged global citizens. At TU, the Office of Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility leads this initiative. It creates a thriving civic culture to connect and empower students so they feel comfortable engaging in the community and region. 

As a member of the American Democracy Project© network, Towson University joins a growing number of AASCU campuses collaborating on creating meaningful and engaging methods of preparing students to participate in a thriving democracy. 

The principles of the American Democracy Project© include: 

  • Making civic learning and democratic engagement an expectation for every student. 
  • Integrating civic inquiry across the curriculum. 
  • Modeling open, democratic engagement from multiple perspectives. 
  • Fostering an ethos of civic mindedness. 
  • Advancing civic action through democratic processes and practices. 

"We are proud members of the American Democracy Project,” says Vernon J. Hurte, senior vice president of student affairs & university life. “At TU, all students, staff and faculty are encouraged to be active participants in the civic life of their everyday communities. We hope that our students feel prepared beyond graduation to be examples and advocates for democratic engagement and civic mindedness.”  

The American Democracy Project© was established in 2003 in partnership with The New York Times. Key benefits for participating campuses include access to a network of leaders, faculty, staff and students—all of which foster collaborative research and resource-sharing opportunities. Additionally, the project offers regular gatherings such as the annual Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement meeting, professional development opportunities for leaders across all levels and an extensive national partner network. Participating institutions also have the chance to engage in grant-funded national projects, workshops and initiatives aligned with their missions. 

“College and university leaders are committed to advancing thoughtful and constructive dialogue rather than polarized debate,” says Cathy Copeland, project director. “By recommitting to the guiding principles of the American Democracy Project©, we encourage information literacy, responsible stewardship of our nation’s resources and relationships that acknowledge America’s commitment to a healthy global society.” 

Learn more about the American Democracy Project© recommitment initiative and see the growing list of participating institutions. 

For media inquiries, email Jamie Abell at .

About Towson University 

Towson University is Maryland’s university of opportunities. With more than 150 years of experience pushing possibilities, TU is a nationally recognized leader in inclusive excellence, social mobility, research and discovery. As the largest university in greater Baltimore, TU’s momentum is always accelerating, with more than 20,000 students and 100 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in the liberal arts and sciences and applied professional fields. Located amid one of the East Coast’s cultural and economic epicenters, TU is a beacon and powerful catalyst in the Mid-Atlantic, partnering with hundreds of businesses and organizations, impacting communities and fueling change. TU meets the holistic needs of each student to achieve success, a result of a deeply inclusive culture with a focus on equity among all students, faculty and staff. 

About AASCU

The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) is a Washington, D.C.-based higher education association of 350 public colleges, universities, and systems whose members share a learning- and teaching-centered culture, a historic commitment to underserved student populations, and a dedication to research and creativity that advances their regions’ economic progress and cultural development. These are institutions Delivering America’s Promise. Visit us at www.aascu.org.