Alabama Voting Summit

Richard C. Fording is the Marilyn Williams Elmore and John Durr Elmore Endowed Professor of Political Science at the University of Alabama. He earned his B.A. at the University of Florida (1986), and his Ph.D. from Florida State University (1998). His primary teaching and research interests include public policy, race and politics, state politics, social movements, and quantitative methodology. He is the author or coauthor of articles appearing in a variety of journals, including American Political Science Review, American Sociological Review, American Journal of Political Science and Journal of Politics. He is the coauthor of Disciplining the Poor: Neoliberal Paternalism and the Persistent Power of Race (University of Chicago Press).

Samuel Reece is a student at the University of Alabama from Montevallo, AL. He is majoring in Political Science and American Studies and minoring in Creative Writing and Social Innovation & Leadership. Sam is part of the University Fellows Experience and the Honors College and worked as an Honors College and David Mathews Center for Civic Life Jean O’Connor-Snyder Intern in the summer of 2018. He is also a member of the Blackburn Institute Class of 2020. He is involved in the Alabama Model United Nations Conference, teaches recorder to third-graders as the Flatwood Elementary Coordinator for Engage Tuscaloosa's NoteABLE program, and writes on comic books, superheroes, and their place in pop culture in the "The Splash Page" series for the Crimson White Culture Section. He is planning to attend law school after graduation, focusing on public interest work.

Alli Swann is a student at the University of Alabama double majoring in political science and English with a minor in social innovation and leadership. As a University Fellow, member of The Blackburn Institute, and proud Honors College student, Alli is passionate about civic engagement, leadership, and service on campus and in her community. Following her graduation from UA, Alli hopes to attend law school. Honored to serve as an Andrew Goodman Ambassador, Alli is eager to work alongside UA’s team to make sustainable change and leave a positive impact on her campus.

Meredith Saylor is a student at the University of Alabama majoring in Economics with a minor in Public Policy. Along with her work with The Andrew Goodman Foundation, she is an active member of the Student Government Association, and serves as an Honors College mentor. After her undergraduate career, she hopes to continue on to earn her master’s in Economics, and eventually work in monetary policy.

The SLSV Coalition is made up of campus, nonprofit, community, student, and philanthropic leaders, all working together to grow the student vote. We lead collaborations between these organizations, coordinate national programs and campaigns, and distribute resources to organizers on the ground, all to advance our shared goal of helping students take part in our democracy. Website: slsvcoalition.org