About Us
Our Mission
Project Pericles places community-engaged civic learning at the heart of higher education. Collaborating with students, faculty, campus leaders, and community partners, we advance innovative teaching and learning that stimulates curiosity, cultivates civic identity, and generates the confidence to revitalize democracy and civil society.
Our Vision
We work towards a future in which higher education prepares students of all backgrounds and perspectives to participate in civic life, build thriving communities, and shape a vibrant democracy.
We Believe In
Democracy as a practice.
Higher education must prepare students from all backgrounds and perspectives to actively shape and strengthen a democracy that works for everyone.
Civic learning.
A well-rounded, purpose-driven education cultivates curiosity, critical thinking, moral imagination, and community engagement, guiding students and faculty to connect personal growth with a deep commitment to the public good.
Working across differences.
Generous, open-minded, and solutions-oriented engagement across political, ideological, economic, and identity lines is vital to tackling shared challenges, building trust, and strengthening the social fabric.
People-centered relationships.
Transformation happens through long-term relationships with students, faculty, campuses, and community partners.
Human potential.
Colleges and universities cultivate the motivation, skills, and confidence of students, faculty, and community members to thrive in their lives and careers while contributing to stronger communities and a more vibrant society.
Liberal arts and the humanities.
Rigorous intellectual inquiry grounded in these disciplines can equip students to test ideas, weigh evidence, and act with conviction informed by knowledge.
Our Story
Eugene M. Lang (1919-2017), visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist, founded Project Pericles in 2001 to address a critical concern: the growing political cynicism and civic disengagement of young people. This founding vision was sparked by an essay he wrote two years prior for Daedalus magazine, where he reflected on the urgent need for uplifting and revitalizing the traditional mission of liberal arts colleges.
Mr. Lang named the organization after Pericles, the Athenian statesman often credited with shaping the first prototype of western democratic society. This legacy is the foundation for Project Pericles’ core belief that every person has both the responsibility and potential to make a positive impact on society and democracy—and that colleges and universities have a uniquely powerful position in helping every young person realize this potential.
Our Theory of Change
During our Strategic Planning process, we developed a Theory of Change to articulate Project Pericles’ role in higher education. Our Theory of Change elucidates the efforts and impact of our civic engagement programming.
