Alvernia is honored for its student engagement for the fourth time in a row

University receives silver seal for promoting non-partisan democratic participation

At the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge 2024 awards ceremony, which is held to honor colleges and universities that demonstrate outstanding achievements in non-partisan democratic engagement by students, Alvernia University received a silver seal for outstanding student engagement in voter participation, with a 35% voter turnout in 2022, nearly 5% higher than the average for all institutions. This is the fourth consecutive election cycle, including midterms and primaries, for which Alvernia has been recognized.

“As a Franciscan Catholic institution, Alvernia is deeply committed to the principles of civic engagement and justice,” said President Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D. “Recognition through the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge since 2017 exemplifies the Alvernia community’s commitment to developing students into ethical leaders and engaged citizens who improve their communities through the core values ​​of peacemaking, contemplation and collegiality.”

The ALL IN – Challenge for democracy on campus is a nonpartisan, national initiative that recognizes and supports higher education institutions' efforts to increase nonpartisan democratic engagement and full student participation in elections. The Challenge encourages higher education institutions to help their students become active and informed citizens and to make democratic participation a core value on their campuses.

“At Alvernia, we view participation in the electoral process as the foundation of being an engaged citizen and an ethical leader,” said Vice President for Mission, Diversity and Inclusion Darryl Mace, Ph.D. “The right to vote is fundamental to our democracy and it is only fitting that we inspire our students to both register to vote and to vote and create opportunities for civil discussion and dialogue. Several offices and departments on campus, including the Division of Mission, Diversity and Inclusion, specialize in hosting special events, discussions, voter registration booths and sending voter registration messages.”

Dr. Victoria Williams taught an Election 2024 Bootcamp course in the spring of the 2023-24 academic year to help students become informed citizens, help them gain confidence in political conversations, and prepare them to vote. Course learning included articulating the positions of major political parties on current issues, identifying presidential candidates and their policy positions, evaluating campaigns and campaign strategies, analyzing the reliability of political information sources, demonstrating media literacy skills, listening to statements from local politicians, and more.

“Election Bootcamp is a course designed to help Alvernia students become full participants in our democracy,” Williams said. “No matter what their major or profession, politics affects everyone. But sometimes it can feel really overwhelming if you don't really understand it. This course helps students at all levels understand the political process, primaries and general elections so they can be better informed voters and more confident citizens. Students also learn about career opportunities in politics that extend beyond the position of elected official.”

Before the 2022 midterm elections, professors of history and political science also organized a Round table “Fragile Democracy” focused on the state of democracy in America, what makes democratic forms of government unique and important, and what characteristics democratic governments have in common to prepare students to vote. Alvernia also partners with the Berks County League of Women's Voters to set up voter registration tables on campus prior to the primary and midterm elections. The ALL IN Challenge partnership also provides Alvernia with the Pennsylvania Department of State's Ready to Vote Toolkits for voter education and college students, which are distributed across campus via print and digital communications. Alvernia also received the Voter Friendly Campus designation in 2021.