Civic Synergy in Action: Building Bipartisan Bridges on Campus
Civic Synergy participants present their policy proposals to Miami stakeholders.
In Collaboration with the University of Miami George P. Hanley Democracy Center.
Over the past two years, the University of Miami’s George P. Hanley Democracy Center and Civic Synergy have partnered to run a civics program in Miami-Dade County. The program focuses on developing participants’ collaborative leadership skills while encouraging young adults to engage in issues of democracy and local government.
The joint program has engaged over thirty University of Miami students from various backgrounds, many of whom continue to actively promote civic deliberation and collaboration through Civic Synergy. Diverse cohorts of students have researched, deliberated, and proposed solutions to issues ranging from climate change to curbing rising criminal violence.
College campuses across the country are increasingly divided. However, the University of Miami Civic Synergy program is finding common ground among diverse college students and equipping them to navigate contentious issues. During this program, students can engage productively in political discussions with leaders and social commentators, promoting and inspiring civic engagement within the student body.
The most recent spring cohort, during the 2024 spring semester, had two student teams working on how the Miami-Dade municipal government can support efforts dedicated to protecting the community from the negative impacts of climate change. Naomi Campbell, a spring participant and rising sophomore at the University of Miami, praised the program’s success: “Civic Synergy opened a space that allowed me to feel comfortable representing my interests in an environment that welcomed the perspectives of contrasting political viewpoints.”
Each team presented their proposals to an array of key stakeholders and leaders, including former U.S. Representative for Florida’s 26th district, West Miami Mayor Eric Diaz Padron, South Miami Vice Mayor Lisa Bonich, WRLN Senior Economics Editor and University of Miami Professor Tom Hudson, and University of Miami professor of Political Science Dr. Raymond Orr.
Participants pose for a picture with public officials after their policy proposal presentations.
The first team’s policy proposal tackled the issue of climate gentrification in Miami-Dade County. They highlighted how high-income individuals can more easily relocate from climate-induced issues, such as flooding, compared to historically disadvantaged and low-income groups. Their proposed solutions are establishing a climate resilience office, increasing funding for climate education in lower-income areas, and improving water management.
The second team focused on fostering public-private partnerships to build an eco-friendly economy. They proposed creating local partnerships between businesses and local governments to develop internships that encourage climate research and innovation.
The George P. Hanley Democracy Center was created in 2022 at the University of Miami to promote understanding of political governance and expand knowledge of democracy. Dr. Gregory Koger, the Center’s Director, has been instrumental in this mission. Following its founding, the Democracy Center sought impactful programs and, with the help of University of Miami Senior and Hanley Democracy Center Student Program Director Emily Danzinger, identified Civic Synergy as an ideal partner. Danzinger participated in the Civic Synergy national program in 2022 and went on to become involved with Civic Synergy’s leadership team.
Danzinger explained her motivation: “Following my participation in the national program, my eyes were opened not just to my own ability to engage in aisle-crossing and policymaking, but to our ability to break down the partisan gap that seems almost a cornerstone of American politics. This increased my determination to become involved in the political process, and I felt the Center would be a great avenue through which to instill in my fellow peers that same sense of political efficacy, as well as foster positivity for the future of our nation. Dr. Koger’s enthusiasm for the program only made me feel more sure as we embarked on its first iteration, which posed quite the challenge as I was now in charge of making a completely virtual program both in-person and engaging.”
Students from all college majors, not just political science, are strongly encouraged to apply to this program. Applicants are placed into two teams, each intentionally designed to include a wide range of political, social, and geographic perspectives. The George P. Hanley Democracy Center Student Interns support program planning and serve as team coordinators, supporting facilitators and helping teams stay organized and on track. .Typically, teams consist of five to eight members. Over six weeks in the semesters, these teams create bipartisan policy solutions with guidance from their team coordinator and facilitator.
The inaugural cohort of students in spring 2023 also focused on issues of a changing climate and its potential impacts on Miami-Dade County. Both teams differed from the recent cohort, focusing more on incentivization for businesses and individuals. Key political leaders in attendance for their presentations included 2024 Democratic Nominee for Senate in Florida Former Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel Powell and Former Miami-Dade Policy Director Sean McCrackine.
The more recent fall 2023 cohort had a different problem statement about curbing rising crime rates and violent offenses. The first team focused on re-building community and police partnerships while ramping up Miami-Dade’s poor mental health services, especially in schools. The second team voiced their proposal for social services for troubled families, increased monitoring, and data collection.
Some notable leaders and special guests in attendance for these presentations included West Miami Mayor Eric Diaz-Padron, South Miami Vice Mayor Lisa Bonich, FL-27 District Representative Maggie Riquelme, WRLN senior Economics Editor, and University of Miami Professor Tom Hudson, Hanley Democracy Center Advisory Board Chair Al Cardenas, and Hanley Democracy Center Founder George P. Hanley.
The Civic Synergy approach fosters civic engagement by encouraging collaborative leadership and aligning personal shared goals for solutions. Weekly two-hour sessions begin with icebreakers, pizza from Dr. Koger’s favorite spot, and dialogue beyond political discussions to build trust within the student groups. These sessions start off by incorporating ideas and activities from the Living Room Conversations program, challenging students to actively listen, contribute to conversations, and get to know one another more deeply.
Political discussions increasingly occur in echo chambers, often becoming one-sided. The program's skill building also centers on managing escalating emotions during negotiations, handling emotional triggers, and actively listening to others. Over time, students can identify shared goals and conduct research on topics of interest, resulting in specific local policy recommendations for Miami-Dade County.
Beyond dialogue, they are instilled with an array of vital tools and resources for productively collaborating on solutions. While many in these cohorts are keen to voice their concerns, listening effectively is central to how the program is conducted. The students learn about interest-based negotiation, which focuses on using parties’ underlying interests in finding mutually beneficial solutions.
Civic engagement is thriving and building a greater community of students who care about local community issues. These students can continue working with Civic Synergy by leading as team facilitators in their local program or contributing to the national team.
Young people are leading the way in civic engagement, and channel their collective enthusiasm for creating solutions within the program. While division persists, collaboration between universities and organizations like Civic Synergy play a significant role in rediscovering bipartisanship, collaboration, and productive political deliberation, especially on college campuses.
Andrew Engel
Andrew Engel is a junior at the University of Miami and was a Civic Synergy Undergraduate Intern, program alum, and has served as a Team Coordinator.
