About this event
The United States turns 250 years old in 2026. How will Higher Ed influence this next chapter of our country?
Made By Us, a nationwide network of museums and cultural institutions, has developed research-backed resources to help institutions better understand and engage young adults ages 18–30. Through their Youth250 initiative, colleges and universities can access actionable tools like their Youth250 Bureau and Toolkit to connect with Gen Z, co-create programming, and cultivate lasting relationships with students and community members.
In preparation, the Made by Us Youth Bureau team has put together a one-pager that outlines the various ways higher education institutions can use their toolkits and resources. These tips and tricks and more will be discussed in-depth during the webinar.
This session will highlight practical ways to integrate these resources on campus, from plug-and-play activations to student-led projects. More than just checking a box, connecting Gen Z to the US 250th is a strategic opportunity to make civic learning relevant, inclusive, and future-facing.
Who should attend?
Community-engaged faculty, staff, and practitioners and equity and diversity officers at higher education institutions are encouraged to join.
What does this mean? This virtual event is more informational with minimal interactivity. Feel free to have this webinar on in the background while you eat lunch or check email!
- Only facilitators and guest speakers will be seen on camera
- You can submit questions by typing them into the Zoom Q&A feature
- This event will focus on information sharing, presentations, or panel discussions
Meet The Speakers:
Youth Engagement Manager
Made By Us
Bio
Bio
Alex Edgar is a Gen Z civic leader redefining how institutions and communities engage younger, more diverse audiences. He is the Co-Founder of Youth250 from Made By Us, a national initiative uplifting Gen Z leadership in the lead-up to America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. He serves on the Board of Directors at Points of Light and the National Advisory Board for the UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement, and was the youngest appointee in Department of Commerce history when named to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2030 Advisory Committee.
Sociology PhD student
University of Southern California
Bio
Bio
Marion Noble is a 23-year-old social science researcher currently based in Los Angeles, CA. She is a UC Berkeley graduate and is an incoming Sociology PhD student at USC. As a lifelong Angeleno, Marion supports Los Angeles communities through research, advocacy, and local grantmaking. Her interests include youth advocacy and is currently a member of Made By Us’ National Youth250 Bureau.
Program Director
Campus Compact's Rural Voices Initiative
Bio
Bio
Hannah Botts is a Gen Z civic leader & Kentucky native reimagining how institutions connect with communities too often overlooked in national discourse. As Program Director of Campus Compact’s Rural Youth Voices Initiative, Hannah works to reframe narratives around rurality and reshape how rural community engagement is understood, supported, and sustained. She is also a member of the Youth250 Bureau from Made By Us.
Youth250 Bureau Member
Made By Us
Bio
Bio
Sergio Hernandez is a 24-year-old from Watsonville, CA. He has a bachelor's degree in History from CSU Chico and is a Youth250 Bureau Member with Made By Us. He is passionate about connecting with museums and understanding dynamics between older and younger generations.
Youth250
Youth250 is the dynamic, nonpartisan initiative to capture young people's imaginations, ideas and input as the United States turns 250 years old in 2026.
Questions? Get in touch with Will Brummett at wbrummett@compact.org