Ashley Liegi, assistant director in Stony Brook University’s Department of Student Community Development, 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 10 fellows selected for this initiative, which aims to promote civil discourse and civic engagement among students, faculty, and staff across SUNY campuses.
The fellowship program supports SUNY’s goal of making civic engagement a key part of higher education. According to SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr., “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 members from the previous cohort, said, “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 commented on Liegi’s continued involvement: “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 University works toward giving all students equal access to democratic processes such as voter education, registration, organization, and mobilization. The center emphasizes civic education and engagement by providing resources that help students advocate for themselves and their communities through participation in civic activities, volunteering, and activism. The center also operates the Seawolves Pantry to address food insecurity among students, staff, and faculty.
The SUNY Board of Trustees acknowledged statewide support behind these 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.”