News

This year, AGF is celebrating ten years of impact with the Andrew Goodman Vote Everywhere Program. As we reflect on how the program has grown, the Campus Team at Northampton Community College reflected on the past four years and their hopes for the future of civic engagement on the campus in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. 

From what you know of how things were in 2020, when it comes to voting and civic engagement on campus, what are some of the most noticeable changes?

• Implementation of voter reminders prior to each primary and general election on student information systems including BlackBoard and NCCGo
• More regularly scheduled programming each semester
• Turnout decreased between the 2018 midterm and the 2022 midterm
• Turnout increased between the 2016 presidential and the 2020 presidential
• Hiring of two work study ambassadors to handle and assist with voter registration and education
• Boarder collaboration with academic affairs and student affairs

How has the general campus’ perception of voting and civic engagement evolved since 2020?

There seems to be a higher emphasis on voter registration and being an informed voter in every election thanks to the re-implementation of the NCC Votes initiative with a specific dedicated professional staff member and two work study Ambassadors. Students seem to understand the importance of voting as a part of the culture of our campus or at the very least seem to moving in that direction.

How has your Campus Team reflected on the legacy of Andrew Goodman, James Earl Chaney, Michael Schwerner, and Freedom Summer 1964 over the years?

Ambassadors share the story of Goodman, Schwerner, and Chaney when discussing what Andrew Goodman is and explaining the legacy of our work and non-partisan voter education on campus. The campus hosted a specific event focused on this for National Voter Education Week to kick off our week of events by celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Freedom Summer with a keynote speaker and speaking about the story of Goodman and the other Freedom Riders.

What are some ways that the Andrew Goodman Vote Everywhere program has supported your efforts on campus to increase voter and civic engagement?

Programming budget has been significantly helpful. Stickers, information, and other resources have been crucial to our efforts to re-establish our voter initiative on campus. Contact with our program manager, Mia has been very helpful to understand our roles and gaining recognition for the work that we do. The connection to Andrew Goodman also allows us to have access to national partners, resources, and best practices from other colleges and universities.

What are your hopes and dreams for what civic engagement will look like on campus four years from now?

• Student senate and academic instructors are more engaged in our programming and efforts to educate students on voting
• Voting information will be incorporated into the syllabi of all courses
• The college would maintain about a 70% voter registration rate
• A specific succession would be created for who would oversee civic engagement efforts in the event that the current Assistant Director of Student Life leaves the position

What are the team’s main goals to increase and support voter engagement and turnout in 2024?

• Regular tabling events leading up to each election
• Social media promotion of voter education related topics
• Increase in programming and events
• Collaboration with academic and students affairs departments
• Implementation of voting reminders in student information systems
• Increase in partnerships with other community based organizations

Stay tuned as we continue our Campus Connections series, featuring each of our Andrew Goodman Vote Everywhere Campus Teams, the impact made on campus, and how they are living the legacy during this pivotal point in our nation’s history.