From Presentations to Partnerships: Project Pericles at AAC&U

As higher education continues to navigate complex and heightened challenges, Project Pericles remains dedicated to equipping campuses with the tools and networks needed to promote civic engagement and democratic participation.

In that vein, we just recently returned from the AAC&U Annual Meeting, where the theme focused on reaffirming the public mission of higher education. We had the privilege of presenting two powerful sessions, connecting with fellow civic organizations to strengthen our collective impact, and engaging in sessions about civil dialogue, community engagement, high impact practices, and public trust. These discussions reinforced the importance of our shared work at this moment. 

​During the conference’s opening session, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones reflected on the state of education, remarking, “This is a dark time to be in the business of enlightenment.” These words resonate deeply. As Sanda noted: These are not ordinary times and each of us must be extraordinary. We invite you to read more of Sanda’s reflections on Nikole Hannah-Jones’ opening night talk. 

Periclean Sessions: Our two sessions highlighted the incredible work of eight Periclean colleagues from Bates College, Carleton College, Elon University, Goucher College, Macalester College, Pace University, and Wagner College. We are grateful for our partnerships and delighted to uplift the important and impressive work of our network. 

​The first session, Disrupt Distrust: Fostering Well-Being and Resilience Through Democratic Engagement, was moderated by Sanda Balaban (Executive Director) and drew a packed, standing-room-only crowd–a testament to the relevance and importance of this topic. Research shows rapidly declining trust in our institutions, yet also shows that understanding power structures reduces extremism. However, many communities remain "civic deserts" without opportunities for engagement. Our colleges and institutions can and must step up as hubs for civic participation. Cynicism, while understandable, is corrosive and counterproductive, undermining not just institutions but the belief that engagement matters. Presenters demonstrated initiatives and courses fostering connection, expanding civic education, and creating civic spaces can counteract this crisis. You can access the slides from the session here.

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The second session, Strengthening Communities Through Curricular Partnerships, moderated by Arielle del Rosario (Associate Director) showcased innovative and replicable approaches for developing mutually beneficial community partnerships to co-create innovative courses incorporating community-based learning, a high-impact practice that fosters civic identities and supports career exploration. Central to this practice is authentic intergenerational relationship-building that nurtures students’ well-being and trusted relationships, enabling them to make human connections as they develop public-facing resources reflecting their values and aspirations. You can view slides and the handout synthesizing session takeaways.

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In a particularly moving moment during this session, Brian J. Evans, Assistant Professor of Dance at Bates College, performed his powerful poem, Shine, which speaks to the importance of collective care:
"I’ll keep my light on for you.
And maybe it can light up the outside.
To make it a little less dark.”

Strengthening Community of Changemakers 
Just as we emphasize the importance of community-building on campuses, we must also foster a strong network among organizations dedicated to higher education. We were grateful for the opportunity to share a dinner with colleagues from Bringing Theory to Practice, the Bonner Foundation, Campus Compact, the Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement Coalition, and Imagining America. This gathering allowed us to exchange ideas, celebrate the important work happening across the field, and discuss ways to support one another. 

​Additionally, our Board Members played an active role at the conference. Marc Conner, Board Member (President of Skidmore College) attended and brought valuable insights to session discussions. Board Chair Ron Cole (President, Allegheny College) co-presented on how colleges can serve as regional economic drivers, using Allegheny College as a case study. Board Member Paul Schadewald (Project Director, Bringing Theory to Practice and Chair, Imagining America) co-facilitated a session on the Bringing Theory to Practice’s Paradigm Project , highlighting innovative institutions and consortia that are pioneering holistic change. Board Member Scott Warren (Fellow, SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University. co-presented on Campus Compact,  AAC&U, and the SNF Agora Institute’s national Democracy Inventory Project.  A unifying theme across our presentations was the sharing of models and strategies that empower higher education institutions to advance their public purpose, develop more public trust, and build lasting capacity for civic impact more broadly.

Were you at AAC&U? Reach out, we would love to hear your reflections.

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