UTSA to bring democracy-focused learning-living experience to local high schoolers

JUNE 3, 2024 — UTSA will host the Teagle Foundation’s “Knowledge for Freedom: Migration, Democracy and the American Experiment” (K4F) program for area high school students. This initiative aims to immerse 15 rising seniors from local high schools in a profound exploration of democracy, citizenship and the pivotal role of humanities and social sciences in society.

The K4F program aims to enhance college readiness by providing participants with an outstanding academic experience, which includes educating them about the significance of civic engagement and how political action impacts their communities. Through collaborative projects, community outreach initiatives and experiential learning opportunities, K4F cultivates a generation of informed citizens who are equipped to engage meaningfully to society.

The program posits the idea that the humanities and social sciences are among essential components to creating the next generation of professionals who will ensure upward mobility for all Americans. One of the featured goals of the curriculum is to introduce highly aspirational, hard-working students to the fundamental concepts of democracy where they intersect with immigration throughout Western and American history. K4F aims to inspire a new generation of civic leaders who understand and value the contributions of the humanities and social sciences to a thriving democracy.

“This initiative will challenge and expand students’ understanding of their roles within a democratic society, encouraging them to become active participants in shaping its future.”

The curriculum was created by Jennifer Dilley and Sean Kelly, two award-winning professors in the UTSA College of Liberal and Fine Arts (COLFA). With their extensive experience in high school student recruitment and mentorship, they designed a program that will inspire a robust dialogue around the intersections of democracy, immigration and the American experiment.

Structured under the UTSA School for Interdisciplinary Engagement in the Humanities and Social Sciences (ISE), in partnership with the university’s Honors College, students will live on-campus in triple-occupancy rooms at Guadalupe Hall and receive dedicated support from academic advisors, counselors, professional and peer mentors, success coaches and others who will help them experience the range of academic support and social engagement programs that make UTSA a model for student success.

“We aim to teach about democracy and to show who democracy benefits. This initiative will challenge and expand students’ understanding of their roles within a democratic society, encouraging them to become active participants in shaping its future,” said Kelly, ISE school director.

The participants, chosen from schools serving San Antonio’s most underserved communities, will be immersed in a curriculum that spans the breadth of democratic thought. From ancient philosophies to contemporary debates on citizenship and rights, students will explore seminal works and participate in Socratic seminars, developing critical thinking, academic writing and public speaking skills.

Beyond academics, the program includes field trips, college-readiness workshops and opportunities for civic engagement projects, offering a holistic educational experience.

The program will welcome its first students in July and expects to expand its reach to more students in successive semesters.

The Teagle Foundation champions liberal arts education as an essential building block for meaningful careers, active citizenship, and personal fulfillment. With a mission to revolutionize teaching and learning within the arts and sciences, the foundation also addresses pressing issues of financial sustainability and accountability in higher education.

— Nick Ward