Public Affairs Theme 2026

The We Factor: Building Connections That Matter

Community engagement begins with choosing “we” over “me.”  It’s about creating social capital through meaningful connections - it’s people talking, listening, and working together toward a shared goal.  It means actively contributing to the health and progress of the places we live and serve.  Through intentional engagement, communities grow stronger and more resilient, one connection at a time.

Our cities are the laboratories of democracy, where civic responsibility is practiced and tested.   By using our education to generate dialogue and solutions in the public square, we help shape communities that are innovative, informed and forward thinking.  As students transition from college into professional and civic roles, leadership opportunities emerge as well as opportunities to energize and empower others to become active stakeholders.

Engaging in informed dialogue and making room for disagreement are essential to creating space for compromise, collaboration, and shared progress. Different problems require different solutions, and clarity comes from evaluating ideas with open minds. 

This raises important questions:

• What motivates individuals to move from apathy to active community involvement?
• What are best practices for successful collaboration?
• What are some everyday actions that help build social capital?

Join the conversation as we explore the impact of community engagement, collaboration, and leadership in business, science, education, agriculture, health, humanities and the arts to make a meaningful and lasting difference.