VCU Recognized as One of the Most Engaged Campuses for Student Voters
Virginia Commonwealth University has been named one of the most engaged campuses for college student voters, a distinction earned through the tireless work of a student-led initiative.
The VCU Votes Initiative, comprised of a dedicated group of students, faculty, and staff, guides the university’s efforts to increase civic learning and democratic engagement. The initiative’s multi-year journey to this recognition included reaching several milestones with consistent university support.
VCU Votes is organized around the Political Science 391 course and operates through a partnership with academic affairs, the VCU Votes Advisory Council, the Division of Student Affairs, and student stakeholders.
Kelsey Jones, the assistant director for civic and community engagement in the Division of Student Affairs, explained that campuses are automatically considered for the annual award if they meet several criteria, including:
- Participating in the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE).
- Submitting a publicly available democratic engagement action plan.
- Signing the Higher Education Presidents’ Commitment to Full Student Voter Participation.
- Completing the ALL IN institutional commitment form.
- Engaging in sustained voter engagement efforts through the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge.
Jones highlighted the significance of the award, stating, “Being designated as a ‘Most Engaged Campus’ really shows how VCU is transforming its students into leaders in our community. This designation shows that we have student leaders who know and value the importance of their civic duty and community involvement.”
She gave all the credit to the students for the initiative’s success. “The strides we make in voter engagement at VCU are only possible because of the voices, passion, and tireless efforts of students,” Jones said. “Without them, progress would be just a promise, not a reality.”
Categories Annual Report Stories 2024-25