The American Democracy Project (ADP) is a multi-campus initiative that seeks to create an intellectual and experiential understanding of civic engagement for undergraduates enrolled at institutions that are members of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). The goal of the project is to produce graduates who understand and are committed to engaging in meaningful actions as citizens in a democracy.

Metropolitan State University is one of over 200 AASCU institutions participating in the project. An ad hoc committee of faculty, students, staff, and administrators meet monthly to discuss issues and coordinate activities to fulfill goals. The university's Center for Community-Based Learning staff provide the administrative leadership and are active members of the committee.

2007-08 American Democracy Project Initiative Examples

• Third Annual Constitution Day: The Right to Vote: Historic Perspectives, Future Prospects featuring Minneapolis Schools Superintendent Dr. Bill Green, Minnesota Supreme Court Justices Paul Anderson and Barry Anderson, a presentation from Fair Vote Minnesota on Instant Run-Off Voting, and a panel discussing New Faces- New Voters, engaging new voting populations.  
• Sixth Annual Civic Engagement Conference - Know the Neighborhood! East Side Immersion Experience
• Campus Camp Wellstone - This intensive training was attended by 50 students interested in developing community organizing and political action skills.
• Deliberative Democracy project on metropolitan transportation priorities and funding
• Kickoff of Campus Conversations, with topics including a Caucus Participation, Young Voter Participation, and the 2008 Presidential and Local Elections

2006-07 American Democracy Project Initiative Examples

• Constitution Day - The Right to Vote: Conversations with MN Candidates for Secretary of State and a presentation entitled The Math Behind the Maps of the electoral college
• Faculty and staff gave two presentations at the North Central Regional Meeting of the American Democracy Project: Do Joint Libraries Add Value for Their Patrons? and  District Councils' Collaboratives in Minneapolis and St. Paul
• Fifth Annual Civic Engagement Conference: Religion, the University, and Public Life
• A Study-Abroad work-group convened to examine ways to make global education opportunities more visible and available to Metropolitan State students. The work group administered a student interest survey on study abroad to identify current trends and student needs.  
• Nine faculty members used the New York Times in their classes this school year.

2005-06 American Democracy Project Initiative Examples

• Constitution Day - A conversation with members of the Minnesota Supreme Court which includes The Significance of Supreme Court Nominations in the Constitutional Context and Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom
• Fourth Annual Civic Engagement Conference - Learning Beyond Borders: Engaging Student with the World at Home and Abroad
• Jury Project - Over 700 students participated in a survey sponsored by ADP and the School of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, indicating their attitudes towards jury duty and jury service.
• Camp Wellstone - This intensive training was attended by 70 students interested in developing community organizing and political action skills.
• L'An: Four Jewish Characters in Search of Israel's Future - four different perspectives on Israel/Palestine and the pull out of Gaza
• ADP co-sponsored a "Welcome to the East Side" reception for the staff of the Mexican Consulate.

2004-05 American Democracy Project Initiative Examples

• University-Community Voter Registration and Turn-out Campaign - Beyond the Hype: Student-Faculty Perspective on the 2004 Election.
• Third Annual Civic Engagement Conference - Uncommon Ground? Regional Perspectives on the Public Good
• Approval of Community Organizing and Development minor
• Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) Center for Teaching and Learning grant secured to sponsor faculty development seminars supporting civic engagement