Timothy Minella, a senior fellow at the Goldwater Institute’s Van Sittert Center for Constitutional Advocacy, expressed concerns about the current state of civic education in universities. He said that only about 20% of universities require basic instruction in American civics or government, with many prioritizing mandatory diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) courses instead. These comments were made on the Grand Canyon Times Podcast.
“60% of major universities in this country require students as part of their graduation requirements to take DEI courses,” said Minella. “but only 20% require basic instruction in American civics or government. That is particularly damaging.”
According to Minella, this issue is part of a broader effort on the center-right to reduce ideological requirements and restore civics education in higher education. In 2024, the Goldwater Institute highlighted a study by Speech First showing that DEI course mandates are integrated into general education at major universities. The institute also promoted its Freedom from Indoctrination Act, which aims to prohibit compelled DEI coursework while requiring basic instruction on foundational American principles such as the Constitution and landmark Supreme Court cases.
A 2024 analysis discussed by the Goldwater Institute and based on research from Speech First found that 67% of major U.S. universities now require at least one DEI-themed course for graduation. Most of these mandates are embedded in core general-education pathways rather than offered as optional electives. The policy work notes that many of these institutions are public universities funded by taxpayers, which supports extensive DEI curricula. A related report estimated that DEI general-education requirements at public universities consume approximately $1.8 billion in tuition and state appropriations and at least 40 million student hours every four years.
Evidence on civic knowledge underscores why Minella emphasizes basic instruction in American government. A review from the Center for American Progress reported that a 2016 Annenberg Public Policy Center survey found only 26% of Americans could name all three branches of government, with trust in government below 20% and voter participation near modern lows. Subsequent analyses by civic-education advocates describe U.S. civic literacy as fragile despite modest improvements.
Timothy K. Minella is a senior fellow at the Goldwater Institute’s Van Sittert Center for Constitutional Advocacy, where he develops research and programming to advance constitutional principles in education and public life. With a background in history, Minella has taught at several universities including the University of Kentucky’s Lewis Honors College, Emory University, and Villanova University.
