Civic Cornerstone Fellowship

Strengthening the Practice of Democracy Through Dialogue

In a time of increasing political polarization, engaging constructively with those holding opposing views can be difficult. The Civic Cornerstone Fellowship (CCF) was created to meet this challenge. 

Designed by the Karsh Institute of Democracy and launched at the University of Virginia in fall 2024, CCF brings together undergraduate and graduate students from across backgrounds, disciplines, and perspectives for a sustained series of conversations grounded in dialogue, reflection, and shared inquiry. 

Since its launch, more than 1,000 students have participated, representing all 12 UVA schools and more than 50 fields of study, from law to neurobiology. Building on its impact at UVA, the Karsh Institute is expanding the Civic Cornerstone Fellowship to colleges and universities across the country. 

“The active participation of Civic Cornerstone Fellows demonstrates that, even in polarized times, people who care about democracy can come together to make it stronger.” —Melody Barnes, Executive Director of UVA’s Karsh Institute of Democracy

Democracy in Practice 

Democracy depends not only on institutions, but on people—their habits, behaviors, and willingness to engage across difference. 

CCF is a research-informed program that approaches dialogue as a skill and as a practice that shapes character: how we listen, how we respond, and how we show up in civic life. 

How It Works 

CCF is a semester-long program that offers students a sustained, formative experience that treats dialogue as a character-shaping practice rather than simply a set of communication skills. The curriculum, which is informed by the research of Professor Rachel Wahl in UVA’s School of Education and Human Development, is specifically designed to provide participants with:   

• Dialogic skills through structured peer-to-peer conversations within ideologically diverse cohorts 
• Self-regulation techniques through the incorporation of grounding practices, designed in collaboration with UVA’s Contemplative Sciences Center 
• Knowledge about the American political landscape

What Students Are Saying 

Students consistently describe CCF as one of the most meaningful experiences of their time at UVA. 

“It pushed me to slow down, listen more deeply, and engage in conversations that weren’t always easy but were always worthwhile.” —Civic Cornerstone Fellow Ross Williams 

“The people in my cohort brought completely different experiences and perspectives, making our discussions more diverse than anything I’ve been part of before.” —Civic Cornerstone Fellow Cecilia Sherman 

“Dialogue is not the art of argument but the discipline of care.” —Civic Cornerstone Fellow Nick Whitener 

The Civic Cornerstone Fellowship is supported by the UVA Parents Program and More Perfect. It is made possible through the support of a grant from Wake Forest University and Lilly Endowment Inc.