Unify America

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) surveys students each year about their views on Free Speech on Campus. In their 2024 report, over half of the students expressed concerns about facing backlash for being misunderstood, and more than a quarter steer clear of discussing controversial topics in class. This climate of political polarization is stifling productive discourse and hindering the development of collaborative problem-solving skills that future generations will need. But alongside hundreds of universities and thousands of students, we're out to change that narrative. #UnifyAmerica

In a thought-provoking article in Inside Higher Ed, authors Shaun Harper and Mary Murphy address the rising polarization and moralization of world views on college campuses. They highlight the urgent need to restore civic respect in both our curriculums and campus culture. The authors propose three actionable steps to foster a more respectful and inclusive environment: 1️⃣ Actively listen to those with different perspectives. 2️⃣ Avoid political stereotyping to prevent further division. 3️⃣ Refrain from assuming that differing views are due to ignorance or misinformation. At Unify America, we're on the same page. Our Civic Gym, with programs like the Unify Challenge College Bowl and The Deep Dive, provides students with practical opportunities to engage in meaningful conversations, practice empathy, and build civic muscles by understanding and respecting diverse viewpoints. Read the full article: https://hubs.li/Q02Nd7XD0 Learn more about the Unify America Civic Gym: https://hubs.li/Q02Nd9qX0 #HigherEd #CivicRespect #UnifyAmerica #CampusCulture #ActiveListening #Empathy #InclusiveEducation #Polarization #CivicEngagement

Our Civic Gym programs are making waves on campuses across the nation, and students are talking! From discovering common ground with peers who vote differently to learning the art of respectful dialogue, students from universities like the University of North Dakota, Biola University Colorado Mesa University, and Georgia State University have shared their eye-opening experiences. 👀 Through the Unify Challenge College Bowl, they’ve learned that even when views differ, respect and understanding can build bridges. Ready to see the impact for yourself? https://hubs.li/Q02N4zGg0 #UnifyAmerica #UnifyChallenge #CivicEngagement #HigherEd #StudentVoices #RespectfulDialogue #BridgeBuilding #CivicGym

Professor Emily Stacey from Rose State College integrates the Unify Challenge College Bowl into her American Federal Government curriculum as a mandatory component. She believes this hands-on experience not only aligns with the institution's learning goals but also seamlessly fits into her class schedule, providing valuable opportunities for her students to engage in meaningful dialogue and develop critical thinking skills. Interested in seeing how the Unify America Civic Gym programming can benefit your class? Schedule a quick call with our Partnerships Team, who can help you find the right fit for your class needs: https://hubs.li/Q02MYpz70 #UnifyAmerica #CivicGym #Curriculum #Pedagogy #LearningGoals #HigherEd #CivicSkills

Throughout this election season, universities across America are helping students find new ways to understand diverse perspectives and practice diving into thorny issues with someone who's different. In The Deep Dive, our latest intercollegiate addition to the Unify America Civic Gym, students practice active listening, analyze new information as it emerges, and collaborate with their partners to discuss a single hot-button American issue together. Students will choose from these three topics: - Gun Ownership & Gun Violence - Elections & the State of Our Democracy - Free Speech & Hate Speech Jump into the Deep Dive here: https://hubs.li/Q02MMCXy0

Unify America's Civic Gym programming helps students practice a range of civic muscles that are needed to thrive in a pluralistic society. Our latest experience, The Deep Dive, was designed specifically to strengthen active listening, critical thinking, self-evaluation, and collaborative problem-solving skills. Have you used Unify's programming to help your students achieve other learning goals? Let us know in the comments. Learn more about The Deep Dive: https://hubs.li/Q02MC9410

In 2023, the University of North Dakota tackled a big question: Can hot-button political issues become opportunities for civic learning? To explore this, they put the Unify Challenge College Bowl to the test. Curious about what they discovered? Read the full case study to find out: #UnifyChallenge #UniversityOfNorthDakota #CivicGym #CaseStudy #Civics

You've heard plenty from us about the Unify Challenge College Bowl, and don't worry, we'll continue sharing how educators can use this tool for experiential civic learning in their classrooms. But for now, let’s hear directly from the students who participated in Spring 2024. Register your class: https://hubs.li/Q02MgLxq0 #HigherEducation #TeachingTools #CivicSkills #UnifyChallengeCollegeBowl

With 205 colleges and universities participating in the Unify Challenge College Bowl, we've cultivated a highly diverse and representative group of students, representing differences across demographics and political ideology. These students have had the unique opportunity to discuss goals for America and strengthen their civic skills in critical thinking, empathetic listening, and respectful disagreement. Learn more about the Unify Challenge College Bowl: https://hubs.ly/Q02M4zgH0 #UnifyChallengeCollegeBowl #CivicGym #SkillBuilding #HigherEd #CivicSkills

Have you heard the buzz about the NEW Unify America activity designed to strengthen college students' civic skills? Read all about it in our most recent blog post that dives deep into The Deep Dive. https://lnkd.in/g7r3eyc3 #UnifyAmerica #College #CivicSkills #NewProgram