The State University of New York recently announced a call for applications for the second cycle of the SUNY Civil Discourse and Civic Education and Engagement Fellows program to support civil discourse, civic education and civic engagement across the system.
Faculty and staff who meet the qualifications and reflect the diversity of disciplines, expertise and institutions in the SUNY system are invited to apply for this service-based appointment. Up to ten fellows will be selected.
Duties and responsibilities
- Establish a specific project that will provide service across the system to advance civil discourse (priority focus for 2025-26), civic education, and/or civic engagement
- Gather and amplify resources to provide support for faculty and staff engaged in curricular and/or co-curricular work in the above areas
- Assist in the development of an assessment plan for the implementation of the new General Education core competency in Civic Discourse designed to expand civil discourse practices across the system.
- Offer directed support to faculty, staff and campuses (e.g., workshops, consultations, convenings, webinars, office hours) on issues related to civil discourse, civic education and civic engagement, including but not limited to the implementation of the General Education core competency in Civic Discourse designed to expand civil discourse practices across the system.
- Host workshops and offer consultations upon campus and/or System Administration request
- Participate in sustaining and growing a civil discourse, civic education, and civic engagement community of practice
- Collaborate with other Fellows (e.g., DEISJ Fellows and AI for the Public Good Fellows) to support intersections among the scope of responsibilities for each
- Serve on the committee to develop and implement an in-person General Education convening to occur during the 2025-2026 academic year
Minimum qualifications
- Current SUNY full-time faculty or staff, who will continue to be employed in the same position through the 2025-2026 academic year
- Subject matter expertise and experience to be able to fulfill the duties and responsibilities, as evidenced by graduate study, teaching, publications, conference presentations, workshops and/or participation or leadership in civic education initiatives
- Exceptional communication skills with the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and concisely to individuals and groups, both in writing and orally
- Available for occasional travel across the state to support SUNY campuses
Preferred qualifications
- Graduate degree with sustained study (e.g., master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation); expertise in STEM and experience with applied degrees welcome
- Participation in community-based organizations, such as nonprofit or government organizations, related to civil discourse, civic education and civic engagement
- Experience teaching coursework in civic education and/or public discourse /dialogue
- Experience with General Education curriculum approval and/or assessment
- Specific experience in civil discourse initiatives (such as deliberative dialogues)
- Current SUNY alumni and/or Fellows; from a low-income background (e.g., Pell-eligible as undergraduates); were first- generation college students (students whose parents have not earned a bachelor’s degree); have overcome adversity; are AmeriCorps alumni; or are veterans
Compensation
- $10,000 per fellow ($5,000 per semester) with reimbursement for travel related to the fellows program
How to apply
- Complete this form to provide information about qualifications in relation to the duties and responsibilities.
- Upload a CV and confirmation letter or email of support from the department chair or supervisor.
- Deadline: July 25, 2025
Additional information
- Review of applications will begin immediately.
- This fellows program is not for research support; it is grounded in system-wide service.
- Past fellows are welcome to apply.
- Notifications anticipated on or about Aug. 18, 2025.
- The appointments are expected to begin Sept. 1, 2025 and continue through May 31, 2026.
- Contact civicfellows@suny.edu with questions.