Fordham University President Tania Tetlow has joined a coalition of over 100 college presidents focused on preparing students for active citizenship and promoting civil discourse on college campuses. This initiative, called College Presidents for Civic Preparedness, has been organized by the Institute for Citizens & Scholars.
Civic Commitments of the Coalition
The coalition is designed to foster three primary civic commitments: educating students for democracy, preparing them to engage in a diverse and contentious society, and protecting free inquiry. These objectives align with the principles of Jesuit education, which prioritize both knowledge and wisdom.
Pursuing Empathy and Critical Skills
President Tetlow emphasized the importance of teaching values such as empathy and openness, along with essential skills like critical thinking and active listening. Earlier this month, she confirmed her commitment to the initiative, highlighting the role of educators in encouraging students to critically evaluate their own assumptions and those of others.
Integration with Fordham’s Civics Initiative
The civic commitments promoted by the coalition are incorporated into Fordham’s FitzSimons Presidential Initiative on Civics and Civility, a yearlong project dedicated to fostering meaningful dialogue and collaborative problem-solving among individuals.
Role of Higher Education in Civic Skills Development
Rajiv Vinnakota, president of the Institute for Citizens & Scholars, underscored the responsibility of higher education institutions in equipping students with the necessary civic skills and knowledge for effective participation in democracy. He pointed out that college campuses serve as diverse spaces where students can cultivate the values and practices needed to thrive in a multicultural democracy.
Promoting Optimism for the Future
Vinnakota remarked that creating such an environment could lead to a positive ripple effect, enhancing young people’s optimism and their commitment to their futures and to the nation.
Original source: https://now.fordham.edu/university-news/president-tetlow-joins-national-higher-ed-initiative-on-civic-preparedness/