The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge has recognized 471 colleges and universities across the nation for outstanding efforts to increase nonpartisan student voter participation in the 2024 election, and Texas Lutheran University is one of them.
The designation is reserved for schools which have, among other things, created and submitted a democratic engagement plan with ALL IN. At TLU this fall, students have been offered multiple opportunities to engage in the election process, whether by registering to vote, attending a candidates’ forum, or picking up election information at one of many campus events.
"This recognition as a 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting is a significant distinction for Texas Lutheran University,” says Dr. Pamela Ray, Director of Service Learning and Career Development and the Center for Servant Leadership at TLU. “It highlights our commitment to fostering civic responsibility, empowering students to become informed voters, and preparing them to be active, engaged citizens who make a difference in their communities. It reflects TLU’s dedication to leadership, education, and service as core values of our institution."
Dr. Jennifer Domagal-Goldman, Executive Director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, says research shows that colleges and universities that make intentional efforts to increase nonpartisan democratic engagement have higher campus voter registration and voter turnout rates. “This year we saw more colleges than ever before step up their efforts to ensure that their students were registered and ready to make their voices heard at the ballot box. These Most Engaged Campuses are setting the standard for nonpartisan civic engagement work for colleges and universities across the country.”
The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge empowers colleges and universities to achieve excellence in nonpartisan student democratic engagement. Campuses that join the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge complete a set of action items, with the support of ALL IN staff, to institutionalize nonpartisan civic learning and voter participation on their campus. The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge currently engages 10.8 million students from more than 1,075 institutions in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
"This achievement is a testament to the dedication of the MOVE Texas Student Club and Center for Servant Leadership Civic Engagement Team, the unwavering support of our faculty champions, Student Affairs Executive Team, Campus Administration and Marketing office,” says Ray. “Together, we are creating a powerful culture of civic participation and student empowerment!”