UNI Center for Civic Education

At its September meeting, the Iowa Board of Regents will consider approval of a new Center for Civic Education at the University of Northern Iowa. If approved, the new center will represent the only center on a Regents campus with a sole focus on civic learning and engagement. 

Last November, the Regents directed the universities to “establish a widespread initiative that includes opportunities for education and research on free speech and civic education.” The proposed center reflects significant university efforts in this area and will significantly enhance UNI’s civic engagement activities and civic learning on campus. 

If approved, the center will promote civic learning through curricular innovation and professional development, conduct research on free speech and civic education, develop online courses on free speech and civic education for faculty and staff, and provide free speech and civic learning resources to Iowa’s K-12 schools. In addition, the center will promote UNI’s Constitution Day and Joy Cole Corning Lectures. 

The proposed center would enhance civic education among university students, K-12 students and teachers and the broader public and serve the state of Iowa by centering civic education and free speech in its activities. Additionally, the center will promote the values of free speech, civic leadership, public service and citizenship.

The center will be led by a full-time director who will be a tenured faculty member with expertise in civic learning. Initial funding to support the center will be provided through General Education Funds, but additional funding streams are being explored, including UNI’s request of $1 million in FY 2026 state appropriations to launch the center. Grants at the State and Federal level have funded similar centers in other states, including the Hubert Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota and, most recently, the McCain Institute at Arizona State University.