MACON — Mercer University has been recognized by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) as a 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting. The University is one of 471 colleges and universities recognized for outstanding efforts to increase nonpartisan student voter participation in the 2024 election.
According to Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Dr. Douglas R. Pearson, Mercer Votes initiatives start the minute students step onto the campus and then continue, even during off-election years.
“Our students continue to be dedicated to civic engagement year in and year out,” he said. “I believe this sustained commitment is what sets Mercer apart from other institutions and enables us to have such impressive results.”
Mercer joins the other colleges and universities recognized by ALL IN for completing four core actions:
- Having a current signatory to ALL IN’s Higher Education Presidents’ Commitment to Full Student Voter Participation
- Participating in the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge
- Sharing 2022 National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE) reports containing campus voting data with ALL IN
- Developing and submitting a 2024 democratic engagement action plan with ALL IN
Assistant Director of Service and Civic Engagement Margaret Rooyakkers said being recognized as a Most Engaged Campus underscores Mercer’s continued commitment to empowering our students as informed and active participants in democracy.
“Regardless of political affiliation, the work we do fosters a culture where every voice matters and every vote counts,” she said. “This achievement is a testament to the collaborative efforts of our students, faculty, staff, and community partners. Together, we are building a legacy of civic engagement that extends beyond the ballot box.”
Mercer Votes is led by Lauren Shinholster, associate director of engaged learning; Margaret Rooyakkers, assistant director of service and civic engagement; and the University’s Mercer Votes Democracy Fellows—a prestigious title held by students Harris Wallace, Sophia Hall and Brandon Biel.
“These Most Engaged Campuses are setting the standard for nonpartisan civic engagement work for colleges and universities across the country,” said Jennifer Domagal-Goldman, executive director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge.
Mercer was also one of 228 campuses that earned the Highly Established Action Plan Seal for the 2024 election cycle for developing a nonpartisan democratic engagement action plan. This recognition is awarded to campuses leading the way with innovative strategies to increase nonpartisan democratic engagement on their campus by promoting civic learning, political engagement and college student voter participation.
ABOUT ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge:
ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) empowers colleges and universities to achieve excellence in nonpartisan student democratic engagement. Through an intentionally-designed program that provides structure, support, and recognition, ALL IN works to improve civic learning, political engagement, and voter participation on more than 1,075 campuses nationwide. ALL IN believes higher education should play a role in developing an active and informed citizenry by educating students, motivating them to engage in American democracy, and instilling the value of lifelong participation. ALL IN is an initiative of Civic Nation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Learn more here.
ABOUT Civic Nation:
Civic Nation is a nonprofit ecosystem for high-impact organizing and education initiatives working to build a more inclusive and equitable America. Civic Nation shifts culture, systems, and policy by bringing together individuals, grassroots organizers, industry leaders, and influencers to tackle some of our nation’s most pressing social challenges. Civic Nation is home to seven national initiatives and campaigns: ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, Change Collective, It’s On Us, Save On Clean Energy, SAVE On Student Debt, We The Action, and When We All Vote. Learn more here.
