The Civic Cornerstone Fellowship Model
The Civic Cornerstone Fellowship (CCF) is grounded in the belief that a vibrant democracy depends not only on institutions, laws, and procedures, but on the character and capacities of its citizens. In a time marked by polarization, institutional distrust, and social fragmentation, there is an urgent need to help students develop the skills and dispositions required for meaningful civic engagement.
Developed by the University of Virginia’s Karsh Institute of Democracy, CCF offers a research-informed approach to dialogue that treats it not simply as a method of communication, but as a formative practice—shaping how students listen, think, and act in public life.
Core Design Principles
The CCF integrates four core elements, each grounded in research on dialogue across difference from Professor Rachel Wahl in UVA’s School of Education and Human Development:
Structured Peer-to-Peer Dialogue
Students engage in sustained, facilitated conversations across lines of ideology and identity. These interactions are designed not only to help students understand one another’s perspectives, but also to explore the experiences and values that shape those perspectives. This approach encourages curiosity—about others and about one’s own views and assumptions.
Engaging Disagreement
Rather than avoiding difficult topics, the program encourages students to examine the sources of their disagreements. By surfacing differences and exploring what is at stake, students develop a deeper capacity to engage constructively across differences while maintaining respect for others.
This emphasis reflects a key insight of the program: that meaningful dialogue requires understanding the nature of disagreement rather than simply finding common ground.
Self-Regulation and Reflection
Dialogue across difference can be emotionally challenging. In collaboration with UVA’s Contemplative Sciences Center, the CCF incorporates grounding practices and mindfulness techniques to help students navigate these moments and remain present, reflective, and engaged.
Knowledge and Context
Students enter dialogue with varying levels of familiarity with political and social issues. The CCF leverages faculty expertise and the broader intellectual resources at UVA to support students’ understanding of complex topics, while modeling thoughtful and respectful disagreement. Students also learn from one another—sharing perspectives across majors and experiences—and gain access to a curated calendar of opportunities across Grounds, including special sessions with faculty, guest speakers, and other events designed to deepen engagement and broaden understanding about the American political landscape. This element ensures that dialogue is both reflective and informed.
Program Structure
CCF is a semester-long experience designed to foster sustained engagement over time.
- Students participate in cohorts that meet regularly throughout the semester
- Each cohort is divided into small dialogue groups to build trust and connection
- Sessions include shared meals, structured dialogue, and guided reflection
- Facilitators support conversations and help maintain a productive environment
Research and Continuous Improvement
CCF is supported by ongoing research and evaluation designed to understand how students learn through dialogue and how the program can be strengthened over time.
This work includes:
- Surveys and interviews to assess student development
- Longitudinal research tracking impact over time
- Analysis of which program elements most effectively support learning
- Student feedback sessions
UVA’s Karsh Institute integrates these insights into future iterations of the program, ensuring that the model continues to evolve and improve as it expands.
Designed for Adaptation and Scale
CCF is designed to be both rigorous and adaptable.
As the program expands to additional campuses, the Karsh Institute supports implementation through:
- Curriculum and facilitation frameworks
- Training and consultation
- Toolkits and implementation guides
- A growing network of partner institutions
This approach enables campuses to adapt the model to their own contexts while maintaining its core principles and design.
Explore the Network
CCF is now being implemented at colleges and universities across the country.
Bring the Civic Cornerstone Fellowship to Your Campus
CCF is now active at colleges and universities across a range of contexts.