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Raritan Valley Community College President Dr. Michael J. McDonough will serve on the Presidents’ Council of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge in 2024. In that role, Dr. McDonough will join a group of 13 college and university presidents across the country charged with supporting senior leaders in higher education to foster nonpartisan democratic engagement on their campuses.

The Presidents’ Council will lead more than 625 college and university presidents, provosts, and chancellors who have committed to full student voter registration and participation in the 2024 elections through the ALL IN Presidents’ Commitment. The council will be chaired by Dr. Brad L. Mortensen, president of Weber State University. A full list of Presidents’ Council members is available here.

“I am honored to serve on the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge Presidents’ Council. It’s important to encourage students to be active members of the electoral process. At RVCC, we are dedicated to educating our students not only in the classroom, but also preparing them for a lifetime of good citizenship as engaged members in their communities,” said Dr. McDonough.

In November, Dr. McDonough was recognized nationally as the “Standout President” by the 2023 ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. He was one of two recipients in the country honored as a Standout President or Chancellor of a college or university.

“An estimated 8 million young people will be newly eligible to vote in 2024, and we want to make sure every college student can cast their ballot,” said Jennifer Domagal-Goldman, executive director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. “Amidst efforts to suppress the student vote, higher education leaders have a critical role to play in creating a culture of nonpartisan civic engagement and voter participation on their campuses.”

While youth voter turnout has risen in recent years, there is still work to be done to encourage young people to register and vote. Only 23% percent of youth under 30 voted in the 2022 midterm elections. ALL IN has continuously grown the number of college and university presidents committed to full student voter participation on their campuses. Since the 2022 midterms, the number of Presidents’ Commitment signatories has nearly doubled.

The Presidents’ Council and the Presidents’ Commitment are a part of ALL IN’s mission to challenge institutions to make nonpartisan voter registration a priority on college campuses across the country. The council is informed by past legislation surrounding voter participation, including the 1998 reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, both of which led the way for college campuses to directly involve their students in the civic process.

Higher education leaders have a responsibility to prepare students to become responsible and engaged participants in the country’s democracy, and that includes exercising their right to register and vote. Leaders who make the Presidents’ Commitment pledge to:

●    Strive toward full student voter participation by designating staff to lead this effort among the campus community;

●    Acknowledge the importance of students’ voice in all elections, preparing students to be informed and active citizens and creating experiences to help students become lifelong voters;

●    Empower faculty, staff, students, and community stakeholders to come together and determine solutions to the problems communities face;

●    Educate voters to make informed decisions about issues and candidates in presidential, national, state, and local elections; and

●    Actively participate in a democratic engagement action plan to bolster an institutional culture that supports curricular and co-curricular involvement in the electoral process.

The members have committed to supporting all institutions with nonpartisan full student voter participation efforts. The full list of signatories can be found here.

About ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge

ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) empowers colleges and universities to achieve excellence in nonpartisan student democratic engagement. Through an intentionally designed program that provides structure, support, and recognition, ALL IN works to improve civic learning, political engagement, and voter participation on more than 985 campuses nationwide. ALL IN believes higher education should play a role in developing an active and informed citizenry by educating students, motivating them to engage in American democracy, and instilling the value of lifelong participation. ALL IN is an initiative of Civic Nation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Learn more here.

About Civic Nation

Civic Nation is a nonprofit ecosystem for high-impact organizing and education initiatives working to build a more inclusive and equitable America. Civic Nation shifts culture, systems, and policy by bringing together individuals, grassroots organizers, industry leaders, and influencers to tackle some of our nation’s most pressing social challenges. Civic Nation is home to seven national initiatives and campaigns: ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, Change Collective, It’s On Us, Online for All, SAVE On Student Debt, We The Action, and When We All Vote. Learn more here.

About RVCC

Ranked by WalletHub.com and Intelligent.com as the #1 community college in New Jersey, Raritan Valley Community College has been serving as an academic and cultural center for Somerset and Hunterdon County residents for over 50 years. The College has been nationally recognized for its service to the community, environmental stewardship, and commitment to diversity. It is home to  a Planetarium, Science Education Institute, and 3M Observatory; a Theatre offering professional performances for all ages; and an Honors College for high achieving students.

The College offers more than 90 associate degrees and certificates, as well as career training and professional development courses. RVCC is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 22, 2024

Media contact: Donna Stolzer, 908-526-1200, ext. 8383

PR #69