What We’re Reading: Developing an Active Citizenry through Student Political Engagement

By Richard Connelly, AASCU civic engagement intern, Stockton University

The spring 2016 edition of AASCU’s Public Purpose magazine features a story on “Developing an Active Citizenry Through Student Political Engagement” by Michelle R. Davis (pp. 6-9).

This article speaks to the hurdles that institutions of higher education are struggling with as they expand their civic learning and democratic engagement efforts.  Newly available voter turnout data produced by the National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement (NSLVE) and behavioral science research done by ideas42 provide insights on how to better implement civic activity on campuses.

The work of AASCU/ADP institutions such as the University of Houston-Downtown, Indiana State University, and the University of South Carolina Upstate are highlighted as leading examples of campuses cultivating climates for non-partisan student political engagement. Engaging students in quality discussions around issues and creating a more cohesive and connected campus climate which celebrates diversity in race, age, and experience all seem to contribute to a campus culture of democratic engagement.

Download a free copy of the article here (pdf).