Democracy and Civic Action Week
Democracy and Civic Action Week events explore diverse perspectives about the role of democracy and civic engagement in the United States. Community and campus departments, programs, and organizations will present a wide-range of activities to engage attendees in reflecting on their rights and responsibilities that are fundamental to creating a civil society. Started in 2018, UAA's Democracy and Civic Action Week is in it's fourth year.
4th Annual Democracy and Civic Action Week
Theme: Bringing Community Together
September 13 - 17, 2021
A huge thank you to our partners and to everyone who attended the events this year!
Schedule of Events
Monday, September 13
Centering the Community: A Discussion on Public History and Civic Engagement
Hosted by Dr. Ian Hartman
6-7PM
Panelists: Julie Varee, Aaron Leggett, and David Reamer
View recording of Centering the Community
Tuesday, September 14
Debate: "All US citizens should be required to perform 1 year
of community or military service between the ages of 18-22."
Hosted by the Seawolf Debate Team
7 PM
View recording of the September 14, 2021 Seawolf Debate
Thursday, September 16
Civics Trivia
6 PM
Join Center for Community Engagement and Learning, and Student Activities for a fun
trivia night! Test out your U.S. constitution and civics knowledge!
View recording of the Civics Trivia event
2021 James Madison Cup Competition
Hosted by the UAA Political Science Department
6 PM
Friday, September 17 (Constitution Day)
Student Takeover: Student Life and Leadership Instagram
All day event
CEEP Fellow Kylie Reese will be taking over the Student Life and Leadership instagram,
and host a get to know Kylie and the Constitution session.
Visit the Student Life and Leadership's Instagram
One Small Step: Dialogue Across the Political Divide
Panel discussion with Alaska Public Media and StoryCorps
12 PM
Learn more about the One Small Step project here.
View recording of One Small Step: Dialogue Across the Political Divide
17th Annual Constitution Day Chartwell Lecture
Speaker: John O. McGinnis
Professor John O. McGinnis , a George C. Dix Professor in Constitutional Law at Northwestern University, will discuss the central contemporary conflict in constitutional interpretation.
Collecting Our Community: Documenting Civic Action in Anchorage
Arlene Schmuland, Head of Archives and Special Collections and Gwen Higgins, Archivist and Assistant Professor, discuss work with individuals and organizations in the Anchorage Community to document civic engagement in Anchorage.
Listen to the Collecting Our Community podcast episode
The Six Principles for Equitable and Inclusive Civic Engagement
A display highlighting the six principles for equitable and inclusive civic engagement (Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, 2016). This approach to civic engagement emphasizes that engagement work cannot be separated from the larger cultural, political, and socioeconomic context in a community, and that the most effective forms of civic engagement must remain responsive to conditions of inequity and injustice. The display includes highlights of the framework and copies of the full document for people to take.
Created by Jennifer Booz, Chief Diversity Officer
Anchorage Civics Spotlight
- Center for Community Engagement & Learning
- UAA Student Government
- Anchorage Community Land Trust
- Welcoming Anchorage
- Anchorage Youth Court
- Story Works Alaska
- Anchorage Municipal Ombudsman

The Center for Community Engagement & Learning (CCEL), serves as the intersection of student learning, faculty research and creative activity, and community connections. We help to connect faculty and students to community partners -- nonprofits, local government, and businesses.
Interested in learning more about CCEL? email us -- uaa.ccel@alaska.edu
Want to support programming like Democracy & Civic Action Week? Donate to CCEL HERE!
Get involved with UAA Student Government
Your USUAA President Tuan Graziano and Vice President Esther Dale are here again to talk to you about some changes to expect with campus life and experience for the upcoming fall semester. As of August 2nd, the UAA campus will be open to students, staff, and faculty. In anticipation of those changes, here are some of the most important things to know as a student.
The Anchorage Community Land Trust : By supporting business creation, local job growth, and resident leadership, we can revitalize communities, provide economic opportunities to families, and make Anchorage an even better place to live and raise a family.
About Welcoming Anchorage
Welcoming Anchorage is a collaboration between the Municipality of Anchorage, the Anchorage School District, local businesses and organizations, and the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation. In 2016, the Mayor’s Office, supported by Wells Fargo, the State of Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, and the Alaska Community Foundation was awarded a Gateways for Growth grant from Welcoming America and the New American Economy. The grant supported Welcoming Anchorage’s multi-sector strategic planning process. This document is a culmination of that process - an action-oriented strategic integration plan to identify policy changes, guide implementation activities, and ultimately serve to remove barriers to Anchorage becoming a more welcoming community in which all residents are fully integrated into economic, cultural, and linguistic life.
Anchorage Youth Court Commercial
Anchorage Youth Court is a juvenile justice system that empowers students to serve as defense attorneys, prosecutors, and judges in cases involving their peers. It gives students accountability, education, and the opportunity to have a positive influence on others’ lives while providing the community with an effective and comprehensive alternative justice system.
Story Works What How Why Fall 2020
Story Works Alaska supports youth voices through storytelling and writing workshops that develop skills, build resilience, and increase access to opportunity. We believe in the importance of listening, the protective value of connection, and the power of stories to foster wellness for individuals and communities.
Anchorage Municipal Ombudsman video
The Municipal Ombudsman's Office was established in addition to other remedies or rights of appeal, as an independent, impartial municipal office, readily available to the public, responsible to the Assembly, empowered to investigate the acts of Municipal agencies and the Anchorage School District, and to recommend appropriate changes toward the goals of safeguarding the rights of persons and of promoting higher standards of competency, efficiency, and equity in the provision of municipal services (A.M.C. Chapter 2.60). The office was established in 1977 by AO 1977-94.

Questions?
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.