SNF
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Stavros Niarchos Foundation

​Ithaca Initiative


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About the SNF Ithaca Initiative​​

In the fall of 2021, the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration launched a n​ew civil discourse pilot program supported by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF). The SNF Ithaca Initiative was named after the home of Odysseus—one of Greek mythology's greatest heroes and whose talent for persuasive discourse was revered in ancient Greece. Ithaca represents not only the beginning of a journey but the ultimate destination. Likewise, the SNF Ithaca Initiative serves as both the beginning of the Biden School students' journey toward becoming engaged and effective citizens and as the ultimate destination for students across the country to come together and work in partnership to develop policy solutions. 

For example, SNF Ithaca Student Leaders have presented at the international conference  “A Matter of Trust” conference hosted by iMEdD (incubator for Media Education and Development) in Athens, and authored  their own response to the field of journalism in the report “The Door Opens Both Ways: Building Trust Between News Media and Generation Z.” 

In addition to the student experience, SNF Ithaca is a national hub for scholars through convenings like the SNF Ithaca National Leadershi​p Summit, research and publishing such as “Answering the call: Offering and analyzing civil discou​rse opportunities in undergraduate public affairs education,” and opportunities like the SNF Ithaca Fellows program that brings in academics and practitioners to broaden how we understand and study democratic citizenship.

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SNF Ithaca Initiativ​e News​​​​

UD Announces Inaugural Media & Democracy Summit

UD Biden School's SNF Ithaca Initiative and the incubator for Media Education & Development (iMEdD) will host the inaugural Media & Democracy Summit from May 29-31, 2024, in Wilmington, Delaware.
Source: incubator for Media Education and Development (iMEdD), Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF)
 

Advancing Civil Discourse on College Campuses

Students and faculty from across the country gather at UD Biden School for SNF Ithaca National Student Dialogue
Source: UDaily
 

2025 Best Graduate Schools

UD Biden School among the top 13% of Graduate Schools of Public Affairs. We are honored to achieve rankings in the specialty areas of nonprofit management (#16), public management and leadership (#18), and public finance and budgeting (#21)
Source: UDaily
 

A Conversation with Tim Shaffer

Tim Shaffer, UD’s inaugural Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Chair of Civil Discourse and director of the SNF Ithaca Initiative, teaches people how to communicate.
Source: UD Magazine, UDaily
 
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For more information about the SNF Ithaca Initiative at the University of Delaware, please contact bidenschool@udel.edu​.


​About the UD Biden School

Established in 1961 and named in 2018 for the University of Delaware's most distinguished alumnus, the 46th President of the United States, the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration prepares students with the knowledge and skills necessary to engage in research and public service activities to improve the quality of life in communities around the world. The Biden School's faculty, staff, students, and alumni create and use interdisciplinary, nonpartisan research, and empirically-based analysis to inform effective decision-making and policy and to improve leadership and administration. The Biden School partners with organizations from all sectors to discover innovative and equitable solutions to the critical challenges of our time.

​About the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF)

The Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) is one of the world's leading private, international philanthropic organizations, making grants to nonprofit organizations in the areas of arts and culture, education, health and sports, and social welfare. SNF funds organizations and projects worldwide that aim to achieve a broad, lasting, and positive impact for society at large, and exhibit strong leadership and sound management. SNF also supports projects that facilitate the formation of public-private partnerships as an effective means for serving public welfare. Since 1996, the Foundation has committed more than $3.1 billion through over 4,900 grants to nonprofit organizations in more than 130 countries around the world.