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‘We Need to Build’ offers readers a framework for making social change

Students who hope to make an impact in the world will find inspiration in the pages of “We Need to Build: Field Notes for a Diverse Democracy,” by Eboo Patel. His message is simple: real progress happens when we move past critique and start building the world we want to see. 

Selected as this year’s Community Read at ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½, “We Need to Build” is both a guidebook and a call to action, urging readers to turn vision into meaningful impact in their communities. 

Programming will be held throughout the school year to give students, staff, and faculty an opportunity to discuss the book together. In recent years, these events have included reading groups, panel discussions, and art contests. The Community Read program will culminate with a visit from Patel on April 7, 2026, where the author will lead a conversation on campus and share insights about how to drive social change in the world.

“This book feels particularly relevant to ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½ and its mission because it discusses how religious communities in the U.S. have played a significant role in building the kinds of durable institutions that nurture pluralism and advance social change,” says Maura Tarnoff, professor of English and co-lead of the Community Read selection committee. “‘We Need to Build’ shows us how universities and faith-based organizations can provide people with a unique set of tools for civic engagement.”

In the book, Patel argues that individuals must move beyond merely highlighting the world’s problems and actively work to rebuild a more just society. As founder of Interfaith America, a non-profit that helps institutions cultivate communities grounded in diverse religious values, he has spent more than 20 years working at the grassroots level with local leaders to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Patel notes that colleges are uniquely positioned to do the same, serving as models for strong, well-functioning, diverse democracies. 

By reading “We Need to Build,” students will gain the opportunity to build on ÃÛÌÒµ¼º½’s core values and elevate the impactful work they are already doing on campus. Whether they’re leading innovative research in the lab, organizing cultural events for fellow Broncos, or volunteering with local service organizations, students can look to Patel’s book for guidance on how to make a meaningful difference in society.

“Many of the students I work with are emerging leaders who want to contribute to positive change in their broader communities,” says Tarnoff. “I look forward to this book sparking conversations about how interfaith partnerships and dialogue can continue to flourish on our campus.”