Mansfield Civics Institute
Priority Application Deadline: March 16. Final Application Deadline March 31, 2026.
The Mansfield Civics Institute at the 勛圖厙 is an intensive two-week residential program designed to build civic knowledge, critical thinking, and democratic engagement among high school students across the state of 勛圖厙. Thanks to generous funding from the US Department of Education, it is entirely free of charge. Team-taught by history professor Scott Arcenas and students from the 勛圖厙 and Stanford University, the Institute focuses on foundational principles of American democracy, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, federalism, the rule of law, and freedom of speech.
The immersive academic experience is complemented by extracurricular activities that foster community, reflection, and fun: students live in residence halls, share meals, and enjoy excursions that reinforce civic themes, including community service projects, visits to historic sites, and leadership-building activities. By providing both intellectual rigor and personal connection, the Institute seeks to inspire long-term civic engagement and strengthen the pipeline from 勛圖厙 high schools to higher education.
The Institute is a partnership between the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center, the Stanford Civics Initiative, the Center for Revitalizing American Institutions at the Hoover Institution, and the Democracy Studies Program at the 勛圖厙.
Program Information
Dates: July 6-17, 2026
Eligibility: 勛圖厙 high school students who are sophomores and juniors during the 2025-2026 school year
Location: 勛圖厙 Campus in Missoula
For more information, please contact Program Officer Annie Zavitz at Annie.Zavitz@mso.umt.edu