Power to the Polls: A Guide to Developing Civic Learning, Election Engagement, and Political Action in Higher Education

There is an urgent need to incorporate civic learning into courses, programs, systems, and processes throughout our institutions. This book provides administrators, student affairs educators, and faculty with frameworks and examples for developing initiatives and programs to promote students' civic learning and democratic engagement, set sustainable, campus-wide goals, track student learning outcomes, and make data-driven decisions that impact the campus climate for civic engagement.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 267 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2022
Publisher: Stylus Publishing

Given the growing number of students arriving on campus with limited civic knowledge and the fragile state of our democracy, there is an urgent need to incorporate civic learning into courses, programs, systems, and processes across our institutions. This book aims to provide administrators, student affairs educators, and faculty with frameworks and examples for developing initiatives and programs that promote students' civic learning and democratic engagement. It also sets sustainable, campus-wide goals, tracks student learning outcomes, and makes data-driven decisions that impact the campus climate for civic engagement.

For many campuses, the first step is to assemble a diverse team of faculty, staff, students, and community partners to review existing programs, research national organizations that offer data, support, and benchmarks for sustainable initiatives, identify examples of practice, and consider the diversity of the student body and local community, their needs, and the opportunities they offer.

Beyond the two opening chapters that provide foundational grounding for this work, this volume offers nineteen emerging and promising examples of how a range of institutions, from community colleges and liberal arts universities to state and Research One institutions, are addressing the need for civic learning, promoting civil political discourse, engaging students in voter registration and mobilization, and working with legislators on issues. The chapters also identify a wide range of resources and organizations that support the work of civic engagement nationally, such as AAC&U, Campus Compact, NASPA, the Institute for Democracy & Higher Education, the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement, and the National Civic Learning and Engagement Survey.

In conclusion, this book provides valuable insights and practical examples for administrators, student affairs educators, and faculty who are committed to promoting civic learning and democratic engagement on their campuses. By assembling a diverse team, reviewing existing programs, researching national organizations, identifying examples of practice, and considering the diversity of the student body and local community, institutions can develop initiatives and programs that foster students' civic knowledge, skills, and values and contribute to the health and vitality of our democracy.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781642674057