Homepage | Institute for Governance & Civics

Advancing Liberty Through Teaching and Research.

The Institute for Governance and Civics (IGC) is dedicated to becoming the nation's premier policy institute in creating the next generation of effective citizens and responsible leaders. Established in 2023, the IGC advances constitutional liberty, economic liberty, conscience liberty, and educational liberty through bold research, transformative teaching, and fearless debate.

Empowering students to lead, innovate, and impact through civics and governance.

Liberty is the lifeblood of America, and it flourishes only when citizens understand the ideas that sustain it. At the Institute for Governance and Civics we are lighting the torch of liberty through teaching and research.

We promote rigorous scholarship and teaching on the architecture of American government and the rationale for liberty. We conduct data-driven research to inform policy discussions. And we strengthen the fabric of civic life by inviting intellectually diverse perspectives—fostering dialogue where others fear discussion. We provide students with the knowledge and skills to be effective citizens and responsible leaders, because we know that liberty's next generation starts here.

The IGC supports various initiatives, including:

Research and Teaching: 
Partnering with FSU departments to hire and retain top scholars
K-12 Reforms: 
Researching ways to improve educational outcomes, examining how students learn about civics, and emphasizing primary documents to study American foundations
Public Programming: 
Hosting diverse events, speakers, debates, and forums to engage students and the community
Civic Literacy: 
Using polling instruments to measure civic literacy and make recommendations on civic education

Meet Our Team

“The Institute for Governance and Civics is a vital part of Florida State University. It brings people together to think seriously about civics. We are proud to support its mission.”

Richard McCullough

President, Florida State University

“Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.”

James Madison

Donate to support our mission.

Your investment enables:

Faculty appointments that bring balanced perspectives to campus
Speaker series featuring voices rarely heard in higher education
Data-driven research
Scholarships for promising student leaders

Support Us

Pillars of Liberty

The Institute's Interdisciplinary Degree in Civics and Liberty Studies offers concentrations that prepare you for meaningful impact in numerous fields including law, public policy, government, education, journalism, business, and education. These fundamental pillars of liberty form the cornerstone of American society and provide the framework for a free and prosperous citizenry:

Constitutional

Master the foundations and evolution of our founding documents

Economic

Understand the relationship between free markets and free societies

Educational

Study innovative approaches to K-12 education and civic learning

Conscience

Explore the critical role of religious freedom, intellectual freedom, and freedom of speech

Donate to support our mission.

Your investment enables:

Faculty appointments that bring balanced perspectives to campus
Speaker series featuring voices rarely heard in higher education
Data-driven research
Scholarships for promising student leaders

Support Us

IGC Inbox Insider: Be the First to Know

Subscribe to our newsletter and mailing list for the latest IGC updates, events, and opportunities to get involved! By joining our email list, you’ll gain insider access to everything shaping leadership and civic engagement at FSU.

Featured Research & Data

FSU IGC is your future go-to destination for all research and data related to civics in the state of Florida. Here, you'll find groundbreaking surveys, insightful reports, and an ever-growing repository of knowledge designed to foster civic engagement and understanding.

View More Research & Data

Reel Celebrations for America 250

This series invites audiences to explore pivotal moments in American history, culture, and identity through a curated series of films running throughout the fall and spring semesters. From stories of courage and leadership to tales of struggle and triumph, each screening offers a lens into the people, events, and ideals that have shaped the nation. The series pairs compelling cinema with opportunities for reflection and discussion, creating an engaging experience that honors the journey toward America’s 250th birthday. Join us for this cinematic celebration of history, heroism, and the enduring spirit of the American story. All films are free and open to the public!

Challenger IMAX FSU ASLC

Florida Statewide National Civics Bee®

We are hosting the National Civics Bee® Florida State Finals because we believe that informed and active citizens make for a strong country, a strong economy, and a strong workforce, and that our continued prosperity depends on the strength of all three. Through the Bee, we are promoting greater civic knowledge throughout Florida and celebrating our civic pride.

Learn More

How Socialism Destroyed Venezuela

Date & Time: November 4th, 2025 @ 6:00 PM

Location: Club Down Under

What happens when socialism is implemented at a national scale? Daniel DiMartino, who grew up in Venezuela, will share his personal story of escaping the country and the broader background behind the policies that destroyed its economy. His talk will trace how government control, corruption, and mismanagement turned one of Latin America’s richest nations into a place of crisis and scarcity. DiMartino will also discuss the lessons other nations can learn from Venezuela’s collapse and the importance of protecting economic freedom.

Marine Corps Birthday Ceremony

Date & Time: November 10th, 2025 @ 12:00 PM

Location: Beth Moor Lounge · Longmire Building

Each year, the Marine Corps celebrates its founding on November 10 with traditions that honor its history and values. This year marks the 250th birthday of the Marine Corps. In partnership with the Student Veterans Center, the IGC will host a cake-cutting ceremony at the Beth Moor Lounge in the Longmire Building. The event will celebrate the legacy of the Corps, recognize its contributions to American history, and provide a moment of reflection and camaraderie for the campus community.

Regulation of AI

Date & Time: November 10th, 2025 @ 6:00 PM

Location: Law School, Room 101

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how we live and work through automation, pattern recognition, and even solving complex problems. This is leading to innovations in healthcare, education, and other fields. How should governments approach regulating AI to encourage innovation while addressing risks such as bias, privacy, and security? Join us for a lively debate between Jennifer Huddleston (Senior Fellow in Technology Policy, Cato Institute) and Tatiana Rice (Senior Director for U.S. AI Legislation, Future of Privacy Forum) as they take on one of today’s most pressing questions: How should AI be regulated?

Co-hosted with the FSU Office of Public Policy Events

No news found. Please review filters and try again.