Cincinnatus Fellows
The Cincinnatus Fellows program is available exclusively for School of Civic Leadership majors and minors. SCL students who join Cincinnatus Fellows have the opportunity to work at select Civitas Institute events and to meet with visiting speakers in small groups. Speakers include public intellectuals, researchers, and authors. Event themes span a range of issues important to public policy and American political life.
Why Cincinnatus?
Cincinnatus was a political and military leader in the ancient Roman Republic. He is best known for being an exemplar of civic virtue. After retiring from public life, he answered the call to return to service in the army in order to repel an invasion. He was quickly granted near total political power, which he soon gave up to return to private life
George Washington has often been described as “The American Cincinnatus” for voluntarily surrendering his own political power. Even King George III is reported to have called Washington “the greatest man in the world” for choosing to relinquish power for the good of the new nation.
Cincinnatus and Washington displayed a profound sense of responsibility while they held public office and showed humility when they retired to private life. SCL students embark on a journey of intellectual and moral formation that will prepare them to play crucial roles in American common life today.
Capstone Trip
Approximately 20 students will have the opportunity to participate in a group trip to Washington, D.C. in May 2026, just after the semester concludes. The trip is an opportunity to reflect on the ideals and sacrifices that have driven the American experiment for the past 250 years.
Selection for the trip will be based on an application in early spring 2026. Faithful participation in Cincinnatus Fellows events throughout the school year will weigh heavily in the selection process.
How to Apply
Applications are open only to majors and minors in the School of Civic Leadership at the University of Texas at Austin.
Apply here.
