CEEP Presents Democracy Cup Awards at 
The College of William and Mary's Active Citizen Conference

The Campus Election Engagement Project worked with more than 750 colleges and universities to engage their campuses and communities in the 2012 election.  Within Virginia higher education, the following four campuses rose to the top: Mary Baldwin College, George Mason University, Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia Wesleyan College.  These outstanding campuses, in addition to the Honorable Mention of the College of William & Mary, received the Democracy Cup Award during the Active Citizens Conference in Williamsburg on February 16, 2013.

At George Mason University, the campus-wide program is best captured at MasonVotes.gmu.edu.  Among other things, this all-encompassing partnership engaged student leaders with the Office of Student Media in posting YouTube videos of interviews, and on-line student opinion polls.  Education and outreach activities extended to all GMU campuses.

In Richmond, Jackie Smith-Mason led Virginia Commonwealth University’s team. Professors Jeff South and Marcus Messner offered a communications class in which students from the Honors College used their mascot to encourage their peers to register to vote and get engaged with the slogan, Uncle Ram Wants You.   Students also wrote issue briefs and posted them to their social media sites created as a part of this class.  Through the work of ASPiRE Professor Nannette Bailey and the student efforts of Symone Simmons, the education campaign did not just reach campus, but extended into the Mosby community, working alongside local residents.

In Staunton, Mary Baldwin College engaged students in a political science simulation class led by Dr. Laura Van Assendelft.  Students conducted interviews, reported on local candidates, analyzed issues and hosted live election coverage.  Dr. Steve Grande served as campus coordinator.

In Staunton, Mary Baldwin College engaged students in a political science simulation class led by Dr. Laura Van Assendelft.  Students conducted interviews, reported on local candidates, analyzed issues and hosted live election coverage.  Dr. Steve Grande served as campus coordinator.

In Virginia Beach, Virginia Wesleyan College’s campus-wide efforts were organized through their Office of Community Service under the leadership of Director Diane Hotaling.  VWC faculty, staff and students partnered with civic groups in their community to host a variety of voter education, registration and participation programs. 

In honor of GMU’s leadership, a state-wide gathering will be held on April 19th at their law school campus in Arlington to share best practices and train those interested in continuing electoral engagement into the Fall 2013 election.  To RSVP for the April 19th meeting click here.