Democracy Scholars

About the Program

Democracy Scholars is a living‑learning community that brings together first-year students from across the arts, humanities, social sciences, and STEM to explore what it means to be an active citizen in a democratic society. Through shared residential and classroom experiences, students examine how democratic ideals and practices connect to everyday life.

In their first semester, participants take a COLL 100 seminar exploring the public sphere and public spaces as settings for open discussion, civic education, and collective action. Students then put their learning into practice through collaborative multimedia projects, culminating in an end‑of‑year showcase that highlights their engagement with principles of active citizenship. Democracy Scholars live together in the new Cedar Hall and participate in yearlong special programming for this community. The program fosters open, thoughtful communication and collaborative inquiry, offering opportunities for dialogue with invited guests and one another as a microcosm of the public sphere.