WKU News

The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge hosted its third biennial awards ceremony Monday to recognize select higher education institutions, educators, and students for their extraordinary work in student voter engagement during the 2020 presidential election. WKU received the Silver Seal rating (60%-70% voter participation) for nonpartisan student voter participation efforts in the 2020 Election.

More than 840 institutions enrolling close to nine million students participate in the ALL IN Challenge. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and most students learning virtually, the honorees ensured students across the country could cast their ballots. The 2020 election cycle saw unprecedented voter registration and turnout among college students, which also proved to be the most diverse group in U.S. history 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.

Dr. Molly Kerby, campus coordinator for WKU’s ALL IN Challenge, said: “WKU is proud to receive this national recognition for our efforts over the last few years. Our faculty, staff, administrators, and students are committed to working together to reduce apathy, increase engagement, and graduate civic-minded students prepared to solve the most pressing challenges in the United States as well as across the globe. It is our hope that we continue to increase our student participation and receive the Gold Seal rating (70%-80% voter participation) in the next election cycle.”

Kerby added: “Much of this progress can be attributed to the work of Dr. Saundra Ardrey who leads WKU’s Political Engagement Project and Dr. Scott Lasley, Department Head of Political Science.”

“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.”

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  https://allinchallenge.org/awards-ceremony  

Contact: Molly Kerby, molly.kerby@wku.edu