If You Build It, They Will Come

Abstract

Citizen engagement is a critical part of a democracy. As citizens engage with a democracy, they must possess the skills to critically examine information and couple it with the ability to exercise analytical skills. This will allow them to investigate information to discern truth from lies. In this chapter, the authors argue that higher education has a role in cultivating participation in the democratic process, as education is for the public good. Through democratic engagement, students will gain the skills needed to be informed citizens. Democratic engagement on campus done right has to have the proper infrastructure and intentional inclusion efforts.