(MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ) -- Middlesex College has been recognized by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge as a 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting. The College joins a group of 471 colleges and universities from across the country recognized for outstanding efforts to increase nonpartisan student voter participation.
The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge empowers colleges and universities to achieve excellence in nonpartisan student democratic engagement through a set of self-directed action items, supported by ALL IN staff, that increase civic learning and voter participation on campus.
“We are extremely proud to have been recognized by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge for the cross-campus partnerships supporting nonpartisan efforts to promote engaged and informed voters,” said Charlotte Quigley, the Director of Civic Engagement and Community Partnerships (CECP) at Middlesex College. “The expertise of faculty and staff resonated with students as evidenced by standing-room-only events, starting with National Voter Registration Day in September through Election Day in November—and beyond.”
CECP developed and coordinated resources to support students during the 2024 election season including adding voting information to the College’s online learning management system that outlined information about how to register to vote and how to vote in person or by mail, as well as information about the candidates and their published positions on the issues.
Several voter-registration initiatives were organized on the Edison campus in the leadup to the November election, including information tables, registration sign-ups managed by the League of Women Voters, and observance of National Voter Registration Day with a panel discussion and rally supported by the Paralegal Club that featured musicians from the Music Club. The day also included presentations by College faculty members including Professors Nicholas Archer, Cristóbal Espinosa-Wulach, and Patricia Payne. Students in the Bonner Leaders Program, housed at Democracy House within the Center for Civic Engagement at Middlesex College, staffed tables at the College’s satellite centers in Perth Amboy and New Brunswick to assist students in registering and pledging to vote.
Additional events were held during National Voter Registration Week in early October, including a voter information Q&A session with Eric Kipnis, Manager of Constituent Relations in the Office of the New Jersey Secretary of State; a presentation about women voters in New Jersey from 1776 to 1807 by Professor Denise Rompilla; a talk about the importance of voting and researching candidates with members of the New Brunswick Area Chapter of the NAACP; and a forum about managing anxiety around voting.
Middlesex College also participated in the 2024 New Jersey Ballot Bowl, a statewide competition to encourage voter registration and participation among students. A total of 411 students registered to vote, with 293 students signing a pledge to vote on Election Day.
In addition, Middlesex College earned a score of 34 out of a total possible 36 points and the “Highly Established Action Plan” seal of recognition from the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge for its efforts to promote civic learning, political engagement, and voter participation during 2024.
“We at Middlesex College are proud of our students’ engagement in the democratic process during the 2024 election,” said Middlesex College President Mark McCormick. “This recognition from ALL IN is a reflection of the passion of our students to make their voices heard and to participate in shaping the future of our society, and a commitment by our faculty and staff to educate students about the importance of voting and becoming actively engaged citizens.”
Middlesex College, established in 1964, is a public, two-year institution of higher education located in the heart of New Jersey. With a main campus in Edison and centers in New Brunswick and Perth Amboy, Middlesex College offers over 85 degree and certificate programs encouraging its more than 10,000 students to explore, grow, and thrive. Middlesex College, through dedicated faculty, state-of-the-art educational facilities, and holistic student supports, is committed to providing a high-quality, affordable college education that provides every student an opportunity for growth and achievement. Middlesex College is Middlesex County’s premier destination for lifelong learning and workforce training.
