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Forward The University of Maryland Campaign for the Fearless
Why Maryland Priorities Impact
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Campus Unit Priorities

Campus units contribute to the whole in distinctive ways. Learn more here.

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Why Maryland Priorities
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Campus Unit Priorities

Campus units contribute to the whole in distinctive ways. Learn more here.

 Impact

Priorities

Civic Engagement

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Forward for Stronger Communities

Civic Engagement

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New UMD initiatives in K-12 classrooms, across higher education and beyond are preparing the next generation of voters to participate in the democratic process and create a more just society for all.

The Maryland Democracy Initiative (MDI) combines our expertise in political science, education, journalism and public policy to teach, conduct research on and engage in outreach about civic literacy and participation, inclusive voting and trustworthy elections. The MDI also does work on how to seek, use and manage information in the face of misinformation or data loss.

MDI has co-hosted a national summit aimed at registering and mobilizing young adults to vote, cofounded a Big Ten collaboration connecting students to take on issues facing our democracy, provided training to schoolteachers on civic education, and launched a local news collective to strengthen community coverage.

To move Forward for a stronger democracy, the university aims to grow this initiative into the Maryland Democracy Institute, a national model of civic engagement education. Philanthropic support will be key to achieving this goal.

Students and Donors in blue and black suits surround Wes Moore, who has his hands intertwined with another.

Related

The Maryland Bankers Association and the University of Maryland’s Smith School launched a statewide Smith Banking Fellows Program, combining coursework, paid internships and industry-led development to prepare high-achieving undergraduates for banking careers, strengthening Maryland’s talent pipeline beginning in summer 2026.