Building Local Capacity: The Initiative for Civic Leadership at UT Dallas

The UT Dallas Initiative for Civic Leadership empowers students to engage in their local community through rigorous coursework and government internships in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The Initiative seeks to foster future student leaders prepared to meet the challenges within their communities. The mission of the Initiative is supported by a commitment to non-partisan civic engagement. We strive to create an environment that welcomes diverse perspectives and fosters a sense of civic duty through governmental service. Through strategic partnerships with local governments and community organizations, the Initiative for Civic Leadership seeks to enhance the academic and professional trajectories of our students and deepen the university's connection to the DFW area. Historically, UT Dallas is a STEM school. By encouraging this career path, we hope to bridge polarization and misconceptions about government service and help us promote a deeper understanding of political science as a necessary component of any degree.