The Ryan center at Villanova University is dedicated to advancing civic education in a free, democratic society.

The Initiatives of the Ryan Center include:

• The Politics of Freedom Learning Community of the Villanova Center for Liberal Education (VCLE)
• Classes and Seminars on the topic of freedom and related Subjects
• Sponsorship of public lectures
• Sponsorship of major conferences
• Visiting scholars program
• Post-Doctoral Fellows Program
• Ryan Junior Fellows Forum
• The Franklin Junto Reading Group
• Undergraduate essay competition and prize for excellence in the study of political thought and politics
• Summer Institutes on the ideas and institutions of the American republic offered to middle and high school history, government, and civic teachers
• Collaborative efforts with other institutions, organizations, and centers developed to issues of mutual concern in Pennsylvania and across the nation