At the November meeting of the Iowa Board of Regents, Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen announced the launch of and a five-year initial commitment to Cyclone Civics, a new university-wide civic education and free expression initiative.
Cyclone Civics will address critical gaps in civic literacy, civic skills, and civic disposition among college students. Current national data indicates that many college students lack a foundational understanding in these areas, which are all essential for developing informed and active citizens.
Several staff members at the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics—Karen M. Kedrowski, director; Carrie Ann Johnson, associate director of outreach and communication; and Kelly Shaw, teaching professor of political science—were instrumental in developing the initiative.
The initiative, which incorporates curriculum, research, public outreach, and extension, will be housed in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and overseen by Dean Benjamin Withers. Day-to-day management will be led by Kedrowski and Shaw. A Cyclone Civics Steering Committee with members from across campus will oversee the initiative’s activities, with the Catt Center staff providing administrative support.
Cyclone Civics will work with on- and off-campus partners to promote civic education by offering faculty professional development; enhancing the curriculum through a minor in civics and free speech and new courses designed to improve students’ civic literacy and civic skills; supporting research in subjects related to free expression and civics; sponsoring cocurricular events, lectures, and forums; and working with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach to develop to develop programs appropriate for Iowa communities.
In the 2025 spring semester, the focus of the initiative will be developing the Cyclones Civics vision and agenda; assessing the civic literacy of Iowa State seniors through administration of the Purdue Civic Literacy examination, hosting the Cyclone Civics: Civics Across the Curriculum and Co-Curriculum professional development conference for faculty and staff on Feb. 19, 2025; developing Calls for Proposals (CFPs) for research, curriculum, and event co-sponsorship grants; and exploring experimental courses related to civic education in select LAS departments.
In academic year 2025-2026, activities are expected to include hosting America at 250, a year-long celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence; releasing CFPs for course development and programming activities; continuing professional development; leveraging civic literacy assessment results from the Purdue test to engage in campus conversations around improving civic education and civics instruction; and identifying goals and activities for years 3-5.