Support The Department of Government and Politics

At the Department of Government and Politics, we prepare our students to “be the solution" and become leaders in government, law, and public service. 

On Maryland Giving Day, you can directly invest in the next generation of leaders by supporting the funds that provide hands-on learning, expand access to opportunities, and advance vital research.
 

Here’s how your support makes an impact:

 

Department of Government and Politics Fund

The Department of Government and Politics Fund provides operational support that strengthens our department and its mission. Your gift helps us respond to emerging needs, enhance student success, advance faculty research, and expand meaningful academic and professional opportunities. With your support, GVPT can continue to deliver an exceptional educational experience for current and future Terps.

Give to Department of Government and Politics Fund

 

GVPT Graduate Program Support Fund

Your gift to the GVPT Graduate Program Support Fund will provide scholarships for graduate students who demonstrate exceptional promise and academic potential.

The department’s graduate programs offer training in the major subfields of political science and the methodological tools necessary to conduct cutting-edge research, paired with close faculty mentoring and collaboration that leads to impactful work in academia, public policy, and beyond. Graduate students work alongside faculty on research published in top journals, contribute to scholarly and policy conversations, and go on to serve as leaders in government, advocacy, and research.

Your support helps these emerging scholars pursue advanced study without financial barriers, deepen their expertise, and contribute meaningfully to the field — empowering the next generation of thinkers, educators, and decision-makers.

Give to GVPT Graduate Program Support Fund

 

Wayne V. McIntosh Endowed Undergraduate Scholarship in Government and Politics

The Wayne V. McIntosh Endowed Undergraduate Fund supports outstanding GVPT undergraduates by providing students with an exceptional academic record and demonstrated financial need. With a preference for Maryland residents, this fund helps alleviate financial barriers and recognizes academic excellence, ensuring that talented students have the support they need to thrive in their studies and beyond.

Your gift ensures that Professor McIntosh’s legacy continues to open doors for the next generation of Terps.

Watch our tribute video to learn more about his impact and the lasting difference this scholarship makes: 

Give to Wayne V. McIntosh Endowed Undergraduate Scholarship in Government and Politics

 

Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement Fund

The Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement (CDCE) mobilizes the full power and network of the University of Maryland to build a more just and inclusive democracy for all.

CDCE advances this mission through three core strategies:
• Serving scholars across the University by connecting research to public opinion tools and state policymakers.
• Advancing research through community partnerships that elevate citizen voice and produce new knowledge.
• Growing capacity through project-based learning that gives students hands-on experience linking scholarship, policy, and community impact.

Your support strengthens these strategic initiatives and expands the Center’s ability to connect research, policy, and civic engagement in meaningful ways.

Give to Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement Fund

 

The Anwar Sadat Chair for Peace and Development Operating Fund

Established in 1997, the Anwar Sadat Chair for Peace and Development advances dialogue for peace and justice by bridging academic research and public policy. Led by Professor Shibley Telhami, the Chair honors Anwar Sadat’s legacy of diplomacy, development, and global engagement.

Signature initiatives include the Sadat Lecture for Peace — featuring world leaders such as Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, Mary Robinson, Jimmy Carter, and Kofi Annan — as well as the Sadat Forum and nationally recognized public opinion research like the Critical Issues Poll and Middle East Scholar Barometer.

Through interdisciplinary programs such as the Sadat Arts for Justice and Peace initiative, the Chair also engages students across campus in creative and critical work centered on justice and global peace.

Your support sustains this vital bridge between scholarship, public discourse, and policy impact.

Give to The Anwar Sadat Chair for Peace and Development Operating Fund

 

Mock Trial Support Fund

Maryland Mock Trial is a nationally ranked program that competes in intercollegiate tournaments across the country. Open to undergraduates from any major and any year, the program is one of the largest in the nation.

Coached by law professors and practicing attorneys, students develop skills that extend far beyond the courtroom — communicating with confidence, thinking on their feet, arguing persuasively, and becoming compelling storytellers.

Each year, Maryland fields multiple teams that compete in invitational tournaments and the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) championship pathway. The program has won five AMTA national championships — more than any other school in the country.

Your support helps sustain this tradition of excellence and provides students with one of the most rigorous and rewarding experiences at Maryland.

Give to Mock Trial Support Fund

 

See the Impact in Action

Hear directly from our students and faculty about how experiential learning and global dialogue shape their leadership journeys.

Watch testimonials from our Moot Court and Sadat Chair programs to see how your support transforms classroom learning into real-world impact.

 

How to Support Programs Without a Direct Giving Link

Some experiential programs featured in our videos, including Moot Court, may not have a dedicated Giving Day link.

To designate your gift to a specific program:

1. Visit the unlisted campaign page:
   https://givingday.umd.edu/campaigns/unlisted
2. Enter the name of the program you wish to support.
3. Complete your gift and note your designation in the comments section.

Thank you for helping us direct your generosity where it matters most.

Maryland Giving Day is more than a fundraiser, it’s a moment when our community comes together to invest in students, scholarship, and leadership.

Your support doesn’t simply fund programs.

• It creates access.
• It expands opportunity.
• It honors legacy.
• It builds leaders.

Thank you for your continued support of GVPT.

Published on Mon, 03/02/2026 - 11:08