The Civic Thought & Leadership Initiative (CTLI), a part of the Center for Constitutional Studies, is working to develop the next generation of citizens and civic leaders. The initiative seeks to cultivate the knowledge, skills, dispositions, and virtues required for a flourishing, free, and just constitutional republic.
CTLI mission and core goals
As a nonpartisan endeavor, CTLI serves Utah and nearby regions by educating students and citizens, supporting K–12 educators, conducting research, and fostering civil discourse.
K-12 educational resources and training
The initiative offers various educational programs and resources. For K–12 teachers and students, CTLI provides resources to increase understanding of Constitutionalism through the Constitutional Literacy Institute and Civics Educator Conferences, with training available on the UVU campus or at regional sites.
Higher education degree and programs
For higher education, UVU offers a Master of Arts degree in Constitutional Government, Civics & Law that can be completed in as few as 14 months, with classes held at UVU, online, and at Oxford University. Undergraduate students can access resources such as the Summer Civic Institute, the Tocqueville Fellowship—a mentorship program for growing as civic leaders—and a minor in Constitutional Studies.
Community engagement and family programming
Other community-focused programs include the Visible Hand project, which provides free, nonpartisan civics education to businesses and employees, and Learners with Littles, a monthly discussion series on the UVU campus designed for parents and children to learn about America's founding and heritage.
Public media and upcoming commemorations
CTLI also engages the public through media and upcoming commemorations. The bi-weekly podcast, This Constitution, is co-hosted by Savannah Eccles Johnston and Matthew Brogdon, focusing on how the Constitution addresses modern political questions.
The CTLI team and mission
Looking ahead to July 4, 2026, the Center for Constitutional Studies and CTLI are partnering with America250–Utah to honor the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
The CTLI team consists of individuals from diverse backgrounds in scholarship, professional expertise, education, and life experience. They work together to advance the practice and instruction of constitutionalism across all levels of society while supporting research on how different generations apply principles of civic engagement.
