Miami University has received $4 million from the state of Ohio to create a new Center for Civics, Culture and Society that will focus on civic education, civic research and the exploration of the ideas, traditions and texts that have shaped America’s constitutional order. This new center will be an independent academic unit housed within the College of Arts and Science.

At Miami, this new unit will operate alongside the Menard Family Center for Democracy, a grant-funded civic learning and engagement center that, since 2019, has offered a year-round slate of student-focused events, courses, and experiential learning opportunities at the Oxford campus, the Regionals and in Luxembourg.

“The university, with its long-standing focus on character, evidence-based critical thinking, and ethical public leadership is well positioned for such a role,” Miami President Gregory Crawford said.  

The Menard Family Center hosts candidate debates, public lectures, issue discussions, an annual naturalization ceremony, and short-term visiting scholar programs where Miamians can engage with world-class leaders and thinkers in politics, law, government, journalism, and civic affairs.

Events have brought to campus multiple Pulitzer Prize winners, veterans of the White House, congressional and statewide public officials, leading media figures, nationally prominent constitutional scholars, and two Nobel Peace Prize laureates.

The Menard Family Center also provides civic learning workshops, hands-on internships, faculty-mentored research programs, public service opportunities, and specially designed civics courses for understanding and collaboration.

“Through the Menard Family Center, Miami students have unique and exciting opportunities throughout the year to learn about our nation’s politics, history and culture, and to learn the practical skills and habits of mind that will make them effective leaders in their communities and in their chosen professions in the years to come, said John Forren, executive director of the Menard Family Center.

“Especially as our nation finds itself so divided along political and ideological lines, it is now more important than ever that our nation’s colleges and universities act intentionally and vigorously to teach our students the skills and knowledge needed for good citizenship in a pluralistic democratic society.”