Middlesex Community College: MCC Announced As 2021 ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge Award Winner

Press release from the Middlesex Community College:

Ronald Campbell

11/10/2021

On Monday, November 8, the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge hosted its third biennial awards ceremony to recognize select higher education institutions, educators and students for their extraordinary work in student voter engagement during the 2020 presidential election. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and most students learning virtually, the honorees ensured students across the country could cast their ballots.

The 2020 presidential election engaged the largest and most diverse group of college students in U.S. history. Middlesex Community College received the 2021 Best Action Plan Award. More than 840 institutions enrolling close to nine million students participate in the ALL IN Challenge.

Middlesex created a plan of action – led by Kelly Bowes, MCC’s Coordinator of Civic and Service-Learning – to host virtual events during the 2020-2021 academic year that helped students engage with the community and understand their democratic rights.

“It is an honor to be recognized as a leader among community colleges in Massachusetts,” Bowes said. “MCC students rose to meet the challenge and ensure their voices were heard on election day and throughout the year.”

The 2020 election cycle saw unprecedented voter registration and turnout among college students according to the National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement (NSLVE), a research study of the Institute for Democracy in Higher Education (IDHE) at the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University. IDHE reported that 66 percent of college students voted in the 2020 election, a 14 point increase from 2016.

“The rise in voter participation and engagement for college students in last year’s presidential election amidst a global pandemic was tremendous and will undoubtedly be tied to the tireless efforts of the dedicated students, faculty, administrators, and partner organizations that are part of the ALL IN Challenge network,” said Jen Domagal-Goldman, Executive Director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. “The hard work of these trailblazing honorees will help support many of the country’s future leaders in fulfilling the equitable, engaged vision of democracy to which we aspire.”

MCC’s 2020-2021 academic year held a variety of virtual engagement events related to the presidential election. Students, faculty and staff had opportunities to join a debate watch party over Zoom, run a voter registration drive and social media campaign, and participate in a post-election debrief discussion.

Throughout the year, the Office of Civic and Service-Learning also made sure to provide resources and outreach to the community surrounding topics such as racial justice, police reform and the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to hosting conversations, Bowes and her team collaborated with offices across the college, including MCC’s Multicultural Center, Veterans Resource Center and the Libraries, to offer resources and guidance.

The Office of Civic and Service-Learning also partnered with Middlesex student-led groups, such as MCC’s chapter of MASSPIRG (Mass. Public Interest Research Group), SGA (Student Government Association) and the Sustainability Club to host events and reach a larger population of students around the college. One event included a celebration of Constitution Day, featuring guest speaker LaTosha Brown, the co-founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund.

All of the events are part of MCC’s Office of Civic and Service-Learning’s plan of action to help to “ensure our community were informed, active citizens during the election and beyond,” according to Bowes. She looks forward to continuing working with her team, students and the MCC community to complete what she considers to be important and valuable work.

Visit https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/studentlife/civicservicelearning for more information about MCC’s Office of Civic and Service-Learning or contact Bowes at [email protected].

Registration for MCC’s Wintersession and Spring 2022 semester – starting on Monday, January 3 and Monday, January 24 – are now open. Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/registration/ or call 1-800-818-3434 for more information and to register for classes.

About the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge
The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) is a national, nonpartisan initiative of Civic Nation, a 501(c)(3) organization. ALL IN strives for a more inclusive democracy—one in which all voices are heard. We believe that higher education plays a role in graduating students into voters and in closing electoral participation gaps that persist by race and age. Through an intentionally designed program—which provides structure, support, and recognition—ALL IN strengthens college and university efforts to improve civic learning, political engagement, and voter participation. Ensuring that students are registered to vote and participate in all elections is a key component of our work.

Learn more and see a full list of winning campuses at www.allinchallenge.org/awards-ceremony.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, MCC has been a proven leader in education for more than 50 years. Middlesex puts the student first. Meeting each learner where they are, MCC provides them with a safe, welcoming and engaging place to learn. Offering more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses – Middlesex features flexible course formats and a variety of award-winning student support services and resources. Student success starts at MCC!

This press release was produced by the Middlesex Community College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.