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Students with Guest Speaker

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 research and education. 

 We promote rigorous scholarship and education 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 Education:

    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

Donate to support our mission.

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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

CLS Scholarships: Supporting the Next Generation of Liberty Scholars 

The Institute for Governance & Civics at Florida State University is proud to offer scholarships for students pursuing the new Civics and Liberty Studies (CLS) degree. 

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Pillars of Liberty

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
Conscience
Explore the critical role of religious freedom, intellectual freedom, and freedom of speech
Educational
Study innovative approaches to K-12 education and civic learning

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.

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Upcoming Events
Kimberley A. Strassel - Beyond the Midterms: The Future of American Politics and Economic Policy

Date & Time: October 28th, 2026 @ 6:00 PM

Location: FSU William Johnston Building, Room 2004

The IGC is pleased to welcome Kimberley A. Strassel, for a discussion on the future of American politics and economic policy.
David Figlio - Rules vs. Discretion in the Use of Educational Testing

Date & Time: October 29th, 2026 @ 11:45 AM

Location: Senate Chambers, FSU Student Union

Join us for a presentation by David Figlio, the Gordon Fyfe Professor of Economics at the University of Rochester, Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research.
Marine Corps Birthday Ceremony

Date & Time: November 10th, 2026 @ 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 251 years of the Marines 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.