William & Mary launches Democracy Scholars, a new living-learning community

The first cohort of Democracy Scholars pose outside Cedar Hall. (Photo by Katie Warner)

As William & Mary marks its Year of Civic Leadership, the College of Arts & Sciences has launched a new residential learning community to help students explore the ideals and practice of democracy while building a strong foundation for leadership and engagement.

The new Democracy Scholars program welcomed its inaugural cohort of 24 first-year students this week. Inspired by the legacy of Project Plus and anchored in William & Mary's Democracy Initiative, the program combines academic inquiry, civic engagement and residential life to create an immersive experience centered on citizenship.

Managed by the Charles Center for Undergraduate Research, the Democracy Scholars program joins the university's portfolio of living-learning communities, including the Sharpe Community Scholars and the Monroe Scholars programs.

Students in the program live together in Cedar Hall, where they will engage in shared courses, conversations and projects designed to connect classroom learning with real-world civic leadership.

"The idea of democracy is fraught at this moment. There's a lot of anxiety about democracy and democratic erosion," said Rebekah Sterling, associate teaching professor of government and the program's inaugural faculty director. "It seemed very timely to be thinking about what it means to be a citizen in a democracy. Democracy is not only a form of government but also a set of values and practices that connect to our everyday lives. This is the perfect setting to explore those topics."

By blending academic study with active citizenship, the program aims to strengthen students' sense of belonging, academic motivation and civic engagement while preparing them for meaningful careers grounded in democratic values.

Students in the program will enroll in a first-year seminar and a one-credit practicum focused on the values, philosophy and practice of democracy, taught by Sterling and faculty fellow Terrell Taylor, associate teaching professor of speech.

Participants will engage with invited speakers to explore democracy's connections to different fields and topics, including data science, conservation and jazz. They will receive mentoring and collaborate on projects that culminate in an end-of-year showcase highlighting their engagement with active citizenship.

A signature component of the program is its emphasis on interdisciplinary learning. Democracy Scholars brings together students from the arts, humanities, social sciences and STEM fields to explore how democratic ideals intersect with future career paths.

Nine U.S. states and Indonesia

The inaugural cohort reflects that broad vision. The program received 81 applications for 24 spots. Half of the selected students come from Virginia, while the other half represent eight other states. One student had been living in Indonesia.

What drew Leo Rosenberg '30, who hails from Manhattan's Lower East Side, to apply was his commitment to active civic participation.

"Obviously it's about voting, but it's also about being informed, doing the research to know who or what you're voting for," he said.

John L'Heureux came to the program having already logged some experience in civic activism, as a youth representative in Virginia Beach's Flood Protection Program.

"That work was about getting the word out about prevention and safety and being transparent about what was being done," he said. He foresees majoring in a field related to environmental science.

His classmates' academic interests span an unusually wide range of disciplines, including government and international relations, history, philosophy, psychology, economics, business, biology, data science and the performing arts. More than two-thirds of the cohort identified interests that cross traditional academic boundaries.

"We wanted as broad a cohort as possible in as many ways as possible," Sterling said. "Democracy involves a set of values that can connect to all different kinds of careers, including but not only government."

The inaugural group got to know each other a bit better at their first meeting by playing a game created by Audrey Oliver, the program coordinator: Democracy Scholars Bingo. Students raced to complete a row on a bingo card by learning specific details about their new classmates: who had a cat, who had a tattoo, who was on the debate team in high school.

"All the students were so excited to get to know each other," Oliver said. "Seeing them all connect makes my younger, democracy nerd self so proud."

The legacy of Project Plus

The creation of Democracy Scholars also reflects the enduring influence of Project Plus, a pioneering William & Mary residential community that operated from 1972 to 1981. Considered the university's first residential learning community, Project Plus brought students together around yearly themes, integrated academic and residential experiences and featured outside speakers and designated coursework. It was William & Mary's first co-ed residential program.

"Project Plus helped establish a philosophy of self-determination within residence life and influenced the development of residential programs at William & Mary," Sterling said. Alumni of the program have been instrumental in inspiring renewed interest in creating a contemporary living-learning experience focused on civic engagement.

"The feedback from Project Plus alumni has reinforced how transformative a residential learning setting can be for students," Sterling said. "That legacy helped shape the vision for Democracy Scholars."

As members of the inaugural Democracy Scholars class settle into Cedar Hall, they will help define a new tradition at William & Mary, one that blends intellectual inquiry with community building and civic participation.

Through shared experiences, Sterling hopes the program provides its students with skills and perspectives that will extend far beyond their first year on campus. She says she's heard from Project Plus alumni who became "friends for life."

"Democracy Scholars is really about creating a community where students can learn from one another, engage across differences and think carefully about what it means to participate in a democratic society," Sterling said. "That's work that matters no matter what path they choose after William & Mary."

Susan Corbett, Communications Specialist

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