Utah university launches civic dialogue initiative
Utah Valley University has launched a new campus-wide initiative called "Our Better Selves for a Better America." The program is designed to foster peaceful dialogue and civic engagement. Its goal is to improve understanding and inclusivity on campus and within the broader community.
The initiative was spurred by the September 10, 2025, killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a speaking event on the Utah Valley University campus. In the wake of the tragedy, UVU President Astrid S. Tuminez posed the question that became the foundation for the program: "What is this moment asking of us? Of UVU? Of the nation?". "Our Better Selves for a Better America" is structured around three main pillars: new academic programs, including courses and certificates in conflict resolution; student engagement activities like peace conferences and facilitated dialogues; and skills development to prepare graduates for difficult conversations. The university is utilizing existing resources like the Center for the Study of Ethics and the Center for Constitutional Studies to support the initiative. As part of the program, UVU's Center for Social Impact hosted "A Braver Campus Dialogue" on February 26, 2026, a workshop designed to engage students in solution-oriented conversations. The initiative has also featured a bipartisan dialogue with U.S. Senators Mark Kelly and John Curtis, and a lecture by musician and author Daryl Davis on transforming conflict. Academically, the program will offer an undergraduate certificate in Peace and Justice studies. This will build on the university's existing minor in the same field and its partnership with the Heravi Peace Institute at Utah State University. This effort is an expansion of UVU's long-term commitment to civic engagement. It builds upon the Civic Thought & Leadership Initiative, which was established within the Center for Constitutional Studies in 2021 in response to a decline in civility and civic awareness. The initiative at UVU is part of a larger trend in higher education. Universities across the U.S., including Duke, the University of Iowa, and Brown, have launched similar programs to foster civil discourse and open inquiry on their campuses, often in partnership with organizations like the Constructive Dialogue Institute.
