The U.S. Department of Education has awarded a three-year, $1,555,318 grant to the University of West Florida to expand the UWF Summer Institute for Civics Educators into the Academy of American Civic Republicanism. The new Academy will provide year-round opportunities to strengthen civic education for K-12 teachers, UWF students and the Northwest Florida community.

"One of the most exciting projects our department has undertaken in recent years has been the development of our Summer Institutes for middle and high school teachers of civics, American government and U.S. history," said Dr. David Ramsey, professor and chair of the UWF Reubin O'D. Askew Department of Government. "This funding will help to ensure continued support and expansion of these efforts to promote civil discourse and civic education, both here on campus and in the community."

Building on the success of the Summer Institute for Civics Educators, the Academy of American Civic Republicanism will serve as a year-round academic unit, offering specialized training for Northwest Florida educators, developing undergraduate courses on principles of Civic Republicanism in Colonial America and the American founding, and establishing a post-doctoral fellowship to support teaching and research.

Programming will also include guest lectures, public debates and training on the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative, all designed to engage both students and the wider community. To enhance these efforts, the Academy will draw on the expertise and resources of the UWF Historic Trust, Archaeology Institute, Reubin O'D. Askew Department of Government and the UWF Speech and Debate team.

"The programming that this grant will help us advance at all levels of education on the unique system of government of the American republic and the particular civic way of life that supports it," said Clifford Humphrey, chief of staff and vice president of strategic initiatives. "We are blessed to live in the greatest country in the history of the world, and it is our duty and pleasure to teach the citizens of this region about its noble principles and history."

Through this combination of professional development, academic coursework and public programming, UWF is laying the groundwork for the Academy to become a degree-granting entity focused on civic thought and leadership.

For more information about the UWF Reubin O'D. Askew Department of Government, visit uwf.edu/government.