Highlights from the 2025 NC Civic Health Summit

On June 11, 2025, nearly 100 stakeholders from higher education, government, nonprofits, media, and more met at Elon University for the NC Civic Health Summit, where they explored the results of the 2024 North Carolina Civic Health Index. Together, they utilized the findings from the report to set priorities, showcase best practices, and discuss ways to help our state fulfill its civic potential.

Watch the video recap below, or keep reading for more highlights from the day!

Learning about the NC Civic Health Index Findings & Implications

The 2024 North Carolina Civic Health Index (NCCHI) was released in April 2024. This report was produced by the National Conference on Citizenship, in partnership with a group of education-based entities in North Carolina who came together in a months-long endeavor to examine, document, and advance our state’s civic health. Partners included:

North Carolina Campus Engagement
GenerationNation
UNC-Chapel Hill Program for Public Discourse
UNC-Chapel Hill Public Humanities
Western Carolina University Phil and Connie Haire Institute for Public Policy
Duke Civic Engagement
National Conference on Citizenship.

The NC Civic Health Summit began with a dive into the research about North Carolina’s civic health. Dr. Patrick Noltemeyer, Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Board of Trustees and Associate Vice President at Elon University gave the opening remarks. Leslie Garvin, Executive Director of North Carolina Campus Engagement, then provided an overview of the findings from the 2024 NC Civic Health Index. She detailed North Carolina’s relative civic strengths and areas for improvement (read the full report here). Dr. Parissa J. Ballard, Associate Professor at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, expanded the conversation with a presentation on research that demonstrated the connection between civic engagement and improved public health.

Participants reacted to the Index findings, reflected on approaches to fortify civic culture, and collaborate with fellow attendees to unpack their visions for a civically healthy North Carolina.

Civic Bright Spots

A series of flash “Civic Bright Spot” presentations spotlighted impactful civic projects from around North Carolina. Presenters shared innovations and tangible successes. These included:

Trusted Elections Tour 2024 & Commission on the Future of NC Elections 2024-25. Presenter – Jennifer Roberts, 58th Mayor of Charlotte
Civic Saturday Fellowship. Presenter – Michael Cooper, Civic Catalyst
Volunteer NC and the NC Commission on Volunteerism & Community Service. Presenters – Kenneth McLellan, Volunteerism Coordinator
Braver Angels of Central NC. Presenter – Scott Brown, BA Member & Volunteer
Generation Nation. Presenter – Amy Farrell, Executive Director
North Carolina Campus Engagement. Presenter – Sam Delap, Program Coordinator
Urban Rural Action (UR Action). Presenter – Pearce Godwin, Senior Director of Communications
You Can Vote. Presenter – Kate Fellman, Executive Director
America 250 NC. Presenter – Alana Gomez, Educator, State Archives of North Carolina

See the Summit Program.

Preparing to Take Action

The afternoon session was spent strategizing about how our communities can start to take real action. Attendees worked in topic groups to discuss how key sections of the NCCHI – social connectedness, community engagement, and political action/participation and voting – could be realized. Each group shared ideas, proposed strategies, and offered practical steps to create more civically healthy communities.

By the end of the day, the room was filled with energy to keep the momentum moving forward. This gathering was only the beginning of what is hoped to be a fruitful and ever-evolving conversation across sectors about how each of us can be a part of building a civically strong state.

Competitions, Prizes, and Creativity!

The Summit gave attendees a space to both innovate and recharge. They battled in friendly competitions and trivia, received spirit awards, and expressed themselves through artistic and creative outlets. See a couple of examples below!

“NC Love” Photo Contest Winner

Spoma Jovanovic

Participants were invited to submit photos that represented their love for North Carolina.

“NC Love” Community Poem Contributions

Participants shared what they love most about North Carolina. These words were compiled into a community poem.

Thank you!

The NC Civic Health Summit was organized and planned by NC Campus Engagement with support from the Advisory Committee. Many thanks to the Summit Advisory Committee: Amber McClure, YMCA of the Triangle; Amy Farrell, Generation Nation; Chris Cooper, Haire Institute for Public Policy; Chris West, America’s Future Southeast Hub; Michael Cooper, Civic Catalyst. Boundless thanks to the NCCE team, especially Kelli Russell, NCCE Program Assistant, for her superhuman logistical support. Much gratitude to everyone at Elon University – from the events and facilities teams to catering to campus parking – for their support.

Special thank you to the Sponsors and Supporters of the event listed below.

Civic Friends