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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 The University Of Wisconsin – Parkside reflected on the past four years and their hopes for the future of civic engagement on the campus in Kenosha, Wisconsin. 

The University of Wisconsin – Parkside has been an Andrew Goodman Vote Everywhere campus since 2020! What barriers to voting existed on campus prior to 2020?

Although there were voter educational events, especially around the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections, there were no efforts organized by staff or students to help students register to vote. Perhaps, the biggest barrier was simply lack of awareness; however, we have a large percentage of low-income students who carry a heavy load of courses and work. Just finding time to learn about voter registration could be a challenge for many. We do have NSLVE data from as far back as 2012 that indicates that our voting rates were relatively good even back then. We attributed that to having a student population that is older than average.

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?

Since 2020, we have learned that students are able and willing to attend events virtually and that we can use social media, email and on-line class platforms to reach them.  In 2020, we had to find alternative ways to get students involved in the community and this sometimes took the form of advocacy rather than direct service activities. Another major change is the degree of political polarization. In Wisconsin, this really became apparent during the 2008 election and it has accelerated since. Though we have activities that promote civil discourse, the divide has increased. There is more of a spotlight on college student voting, including effort to suppress the vote.

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

In 2023, we launched a Democracy Wall, asking students to respond to questions about voting, democracy and specific issues. We had a fair amount of interaction, and this year, have a new electronic Democracy Wall that was funded by a grant from Campus Compact. In spring of 2024, one of our Andrew Goodman Ambassadors was chosen and trained by UW-Madison’s Tommy Thompson Center on Public Leadership to lead Bridging the Divide, a series of civil discourse conversations among students. This series continues this semester with four conversations on a variety of topics.

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

We include a discussion of the Freedom Summer in the training for the AGF ambassadors and they include some of this history in the voter presentations that they make in classes. We have also created a table display that describes the history.

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

The AGF funding is so important in our ability to recruit a student team. Most of our students need to work as well as go to school full time and cannot afford to volunteer many hours. Having funding to compensate the ambassadors is critical. We also appreciate all of the tools and training that AGF provides, including the summit. We appreciate the support we get from Caroline and opportunities to learn about what other campuses are doing. We appreciate the access to the AGF Instagram as well.

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

We would love to see full voter participation including a competition in student government to get students to register and vote. We also hope to see ongoing participation in Bridging the Divide and other civil discourse programming that leads to a culture of listening and respecting a diversity of opinions and the desire to learn from others’ perspectives.

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

Our main goal is to reach every student via email, text, social media, in their on-line course platforms or in-person at events, tabling and/or class presentation. We seek to inform every student of deadlines, procedures, and means of participation in the election.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

The Andrew Goodman Vote Everywhere Program is a fantastic opportunity for students. It affords the possibility to make changes and learn about civics. Thank you for making it possible.

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.