Established in 2011, the UVU Center for Constitutional Studies (CCS) is a nonpartisan academic institute that promotes the instruction, study, and research of constitutionalism. In particular, it examines important constitutional issues found at the intersections of political thought, public policy, religion, law, history, and economics. It employs a multidisciplinary approach to more effectively equip a new generation of citizens and leaders with a broad understanding of political thought and economic and political practices critical to the perpetuation of constitutional government, ordered liberty, and the rule of law.
Conferences, university curriculum, faculty scholarship, a robust research agenda, strategic partnerships, and K-12 initiatives are among the many touchpoints that allow the Center to prepare citizens with the broad understanding of thought and practices critical to the perpetuation of constitutional government, ordered liberty, and the rule of law.
The Center for Constitutional Studies works to advance the understanding and practice of constitutional government, ordered liberty, and the rule of law. We do this through original research on state and federal constitutionalism, academic and public-facing conferences, university curriculum, study-abroad opportunities, strategic partnerships, and collaboration with K–12 educators.
The Quill Project team at UVU and at Pembroke College, Oxford, is advancing the study of American constitutionalism in ways that will impact constitutional law, civic education, and constitutional scholarship for decades to come.
The Center’s Federalism Initiative is deepening our understanding of constitutional federalism through the Federalism Index and our innovative Policy Tracker.
Students at UVU and in surrounding school districts continue to reap the benefits of the Center’s Constitutional Literacy Initiative, through our annual Constitution Day and First Amendment conferences, as well as our summer Constitutional Literacy Institutes for social-studies teachers.
And the Center’s Civic Thought and Leadership Initiative (CTLI) has developed proven methods for bringing the knowledge, skills, dispositions, and virtues necessary for good citizenship to UVU students, Utah teachers, and our surrounding communities.
These achievements reflect a legacy of past leadership, community support, and intellectual labor. With our CCS team, I am honored to build the future of constitutional studies at UVU on this solid foundation, fueled by a broad base of support within UVU and from outside donors, granting agencies, and the Utah legislature.
Our Center is rapidly growing into a nationally recognized model for integrating original constitutional scholarship with the promotion of constitutional literacy in the university and in civil society at large. We invite you to join us in that effort.
Read about former directors of the Center for Constitutional Studies.
