Introducing the MCN Civic Learning Council
Uniting university leaders to elevate civic learning and student leadership worldwide
The Millennium Campus Network (MCN) is thrilled to introduce the MCN Civic Learning Council, a new initiative bringing together faculty, administrators, and higher education leaders committed to advancing student leadership and civic engagement on campus and beyond. First announced at the United Nations on July 21st, 2025 by Council Co-Chair Dr. Sue Maxam, the Council was unveiled during a special event by MCN and the United Nations Academic Impact focused on the role of higher education in shaping a better world.
With MCN programs now active on over 290 campuses in 47 countries, this is a timely moment to deepen collaboration among university partners. The Council will serve as a community of practice, a space for campus leaders to exchange ideas, shape best practices, and advise on program development to strengthen a global student movement advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Rooted in the success of the Millennium Fellowship, a semester-long leadership program, the MCN Civic Learning Council will strengthen the network behind the scenes. Members will offer guidance on programming, share feedback to improve student experiences, and collaborate on new ways to enhance civic learning globally.
This initiative reflects MCN’s belief that universities are not just centers of academic learning, but also powerful incubators of changemaking. The Council will bring together champions of student-led impact and invite new voices into this vital conversation.
Dr. Sue Maxam announcing the launch of MCN Civic Learning Council at the United Nations on July 21st, 2025.
Why This Matters Now
This Council couldn’t come at a more important time.
Around the world, students are speaking up and stepping forward on urgent issues, from climate change to public health to equity in education. They are launching projects, advocating for policy, organizing their peers. Yet many are leading these efforts without the benefit of structured support or consistent mentorship, highlighting a powerful opportunity for institutions to more intentionally champion student leadership.
Meanwhile the role of higher education is being reimagined. What does it mean to prepare students not just for jobs, but for lives of active, engaged citizenship? How can civic learning be integrated more fully into the student experience, not as an extracurricular, but as a core element of education?
The MCN Civic Learning Council offers a timely response. It reflects the realities students face while offering a shared vision for what civic leadership can look like in the 21st century, and how universities can prepare students to lead with purpose and enrich their experience through the MCN programs.
Words from the Council Chair
We’re honored that Dr. Sue Maxam, Assistant Provost for Wellness at Pace University, will serve as Co-Chair of the Council.
“Higher education has a crucial role to play in bolstering civic life and preparing student leaders for lives of impact. Now more than ever we need student change agents to address the many challenges faced around the world. With MCN active across 47 nations, this is an optimal time to bring together committed faculty and administrators who support Millennium Fellows on campuses around the globe so that we can further strengthen and expand the social impact efforts of our students. Through such partnerships, the MCN Civic Learning Council will drive progress on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, ultimately empowering students to “be the change” they want to see in the world!”
— Dr. Sue Maxam
“‘Creating a world where everyone can thrive’. Young people are united in their commitment to positively impact the world and their local communities through good citizenship, innovation, development, and sustainability. This is an opportunity for colleagues across countries to collaborate for this enhancement of this valuable MCN network.”
— Dr. Dave Dowland
Meet the Inaugural Council
The Council launches with a diverse group of core members from across regions and disciplines, bringing expertise in student affairs, community partnerships, SDG Labs, and more. Meet the core members of the inaugural council:
Dr. Sue Maxam, Pace University, United States (Co-Chair)
Dr. Dave Dowland, BRAC University, Bangladesh (Co-Chair)
Dean Johnson Ireri Kinyua, University of Nairobi, Kenya
Mr. Simon Knowles, University College London, United Kingdom
Dr. Sharaf Ali Shana, Al-Razi University, Yemen
Dr. Antonella Regueiro, Lynn University, United States
Prof. Anna Kathryn Kendrick, NYU Shanghai, China
Mr. Tamas Gyorgy, Central European University, Austria
Dr. Samia Huq, BRAC University, Bangladesh
Provost Patrice McMahon, Minerva University, United States
What’s Next
The Council begins convening this fall. In its first year, members will explore ways to enrich the student experience, share tools across campuses, identify trends in civic learning, and expand partnerships that sustain and scale impact.
This is just the beginning. We believe that when university leaders come together in support of their students' visions for change, extraordinary things can happen.
If you're a university administrator passionate about this mission, [fill out the interest form here] to help shape what’s next.