What we offer

Citizen University offers immersive trainings, networks of practice, and innovative projects designed to help people strengthen the habits and skills of powerful, responsible citizenship in everyday life.

Our work is rooted in a simple belief: healthy civic culture is built through practice. People become stronger citizens not just by learning frameworks, but by building relationships, exercising civic muscle, and taking action alongside others in the places they call home.

We focus not just on ideas, but on formation. We create spaces where people can strengthen their civic identity, build practical civic skills, experience belonging and mutual responsibility, and practice getting things done with people unlike themselves. Our programs are deeply relational, rooted in love of place, and designed to help people carry what they learn back into the communities and institutions they care about most.

Who our work is for

Our programs and offerings are for people who see a need to strengthen the civic culture of their communities, and are ready to commit to new ways of doing so.

We work with people across many sectors and identities: educators, nonprofit leaders, artists, students, veterans, faith leaders, public servants, entrepreneurs, organizers, and neighbors who care about the future of their place, and who influence how people relate to one another in their communities. 

We help these “civic catalysts” deepen their own civic identity, gain practical tools and frameworks, and build lasting networks of support and collaboration.

Live Like a Citizen

A multi-day, immersive learning experience for groups of catalytic community members looking to refortify, build relationships with kindred civic spirits, and gain fresh ideas and perspective on strengthening the civic culture of their places.

Power + Character Educator Training

A training program for educators who want to support young people in understanding the power they have as citizens–and the role they can play in responsibly shaping their communities.

National Civic Collaboratory

CU’s National Civic Collaboratory is our mutual aid club for civic innovators, spurring collaboration and commitment-making in support of dozens of powerful initiatives each year.

Youth Collaboratory

CU’s program for high-school students ready for a deep dive on civic power–understanding it, building it, and circulating it to strengthen the civic culture of their communities.

Alumni Network

CU’s Alumni Network connects all of our program participants across cohorts and geography to sustain an incredible circle of catalytic community members from all around the country.

Special Projects

We’re big on trying new things, learning alongside partners, and circulating our methods for all to use and play with. And we’ve got a whole Labs team dedicated to doing just that.