University of Northern Iowa
10/19/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/19/2026 13:17
UNI selected for national initiative to strengthen civic dialogue on college campuses
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - The University of Northern Iowa has been selected as one of just 12 institutions nationwide to participate in a new initiative aimed at strengthening civic dialogue and preparing students to engage thoughtfully across differences.
Cara Burnidge, associate professor of religion at UNI, has been named an inaugural civic dialogue faculty fellow through the Centers for Civic Life program, a national initiative led by James Madison University's Madison Center for Civic Engagement in partnership with the National Issues Forums Institute (NIFI).
The highly competitive fellowship brings together faculty from colleges and universities across the country to develop new approaches to civic discourse, equip students with skills to navigate complex issues and strengthen opportunities for meaningful dialogue on college campuses.
Burnidge will serve as a fellow in collaboration with UNI's Center for Civic Education, building on the university's growing leadership in civic learning, free speech and public engagement.
"Being selected as one of 12 institutions nationwide is a tremendous recognition of UNI's commitment to civic education," said Allison Rank, director of UNI's Center for Civic Education. "Through Cara's participation, we'll have an opportunity to collaborate with national leaders, bring new resources and approaches to our campus and continue preparing students to engage thoughtfully with perspectives different from their own."
Over the next year, Burnidge will participate in professional development and collaborate with faculty fellows from across the country to explore strategies for facilitating productive conversations on challenging topics. The program emphasizes deliberative dialogue, an approach that encourages participants to consider multiple viewpoints, evaluate potential solutions and weigh competing priorities rather than simply debate opposing positions.
Fellows will also help develop nonpartisan issue guides designed for use on college campuses, providing resources for students, educators and community members to engage in constructive discussions about complex societal challenges.
"Learning how to meaningfully engage with people who hold different perspectives is an essential part of a college education," said Burnidge. "I'm excited to work alongside colleagues from across the country to explore how we can create more opportunities for thoughtful dialogue and help students develop skills they can carry into their communities, careers and civic lives."
The fellowship complements ongoing efforts through UNI's Center for Civic Education to strengthen civic knowledge and encourage respectful dialogue among students, educators and the broader public. Through educational programs, faculty development and community partnerships, the center works to prepare individuals for informed participation in civic life.
UNI joins a national cohort that includes Auburn University, Colorado State University, the University of Delaware, the University of Southern California and other institutions representing regions across the country.
The Centers for Civic Life Faculty Fellows initiative is supported by a $2.72 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education awarded to James Madison University. The program is designed to build a national network of educators equipped to strengthen civic dialogue and engagement within higher education.
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