.featuredItem {
    background-color: #fff;
    border: 1.5px solid #1b3d6d;
    border-radius: var(--border-radius);
    overflow: hidden;
    transition: background-color var(--transition-duration), box-shadow var(--transition-duration);
    display: flex; /* Added */
    flex-direction: column; /* Added */
    height: 100%; /* Added - makes all items fill available height */
}

.featuredItem a {
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
    flex: 1;
    text-decoration: none;
    height: 100%;
}

.featuredItem__content {
   display: flex; /* Changed from inline-block */
    flex-direction: column; /* Added */
    flex: 1; /* Added - makes content fill entire container */
    padding: 1.25rem 1rem 1rem 1rem;
    background-color: var(--color-uci-blue);
    width: 100%; /* Added - ensures full width */
    box-sizing: border-box; /* Added - includes padding in width calculation */
    transition: background-color var(--transition-duration), color var(--transition-duration);
}

.featuredItem__content .featuredItem__heading {
    color: #ffffff;
    font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
    flex: 1;
    font-size: .8rem;
    transition: color var(--transition-duration);
}

.featuredItems__container {
    display: flex;
    gap: 1rem;
    align-items: stretch; /* Makes all items equal height */
}

.featuredItem:hover .featuredItem__content {
    background-color: #1a4070; /* Darker blue */
}

.featuredItem:hover .featuredItem__heading {
    color: #ffffff; /* White text on blue background */
}