Freedom and Citizenship began in 2009 through a partnership between Columbia's Center for American Studies and the Roger Lehecka Double Discovery Center. With an initial grant from the Teagle Foundation, the program opened with fifteen students taught by professor Roosevelt Montás, director of Columbia's Center for the Core Curriculum. The program aimed to introduce dedicated high school students to college-level work in the humanities and prepare them for lives as informed, responsible citizens.

Freedom & Citizenship is a free educational program for New York City high school students run by the Center for American Studies and Double Discovery Center at Columbia University. Each year we recruit 45 low-income high school juniors to join our program from July through May. Our year-long program incorporates three distinct offerings:

1. A four-week residential summer program

2. Senior year college application support

3. A nine-month after-school project in civic leadership

Browse Columbia Freedom and Leadership program options here. 

Learn more from SEO alumni here.