Ashley Liegi, assistant director in the Department of Student Community Development at Stony Brook University, has been named to the second cohort of the State University of New York (SUNY) Civil Discourse and Civic Education and Engagement Fellowship Program. She is one of ten fellows chosen to help foster civil discourse among students, faculty, and staff across SUNY campuses and to support the university system’s focus on civic engagement as a key outcome of higher education.
SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. commented on the announcement: “Empowering students to become well-rounded, engaged citizens is an important part of SUNY’s commitment to academic excellence. It is essential for a strong democracy that people are not only civically engaged but are also able to communicate and even disagree in civil and appropriate ways. I offer my heartfelt appreciation and congratulations to the faculty fellows selected for this year’s Civil Discourse and Civic Education and Engagement program and thank them for their dedication to building a stronger society for all.”
Liegi, who returns as one of three fellows from the previous cohort, stated: “I am honored to be serving as a SUNY Civic Fellow for a second year, allowing me to continue to represent Stony Brook University in this space. Working with colleagues from across SUNY to find ways to engage students, staff, and faculty across all of our campuses has been invaluable and a fulfilling extension of the work we have done at Stony Brook to institutionalize civic engagement and education.”
Vice President for Student Affairs Rick Gatteau said: “We are incredibly proud to have Ashley once again represent Stony Brook as a Civil Discourse and Civic Education and Engagement Fellow. Through her work with the Center for Civic Justice, she continues to empower students with the knowledge and tools they need to be active, informed participants in our democracy.”
The Center for Civic Justice at Stony Brook aims to ensure all students have access to democratic processes through voter education, registration initiatives, organizing efforts, and mobilization activities. The center emphasizes civic education and engagement by providing resources that help students participate in civic life through advocacy, volunteerism, activism, and also addresses food insecurity via the Seawolves Pantry.
The SUNY Board of Trustees issued a statement recognizing ongoing efforts: “SUNY is leading the way in investing in meaningful programs to increase opportunities for participation in civil discourse and civic engagement for its students, thanks to the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the State Legislature. We celebrate the accomplishments of this year’s fellows and congratulate each of them for taking on this important work.”
