An engaged community is a community with a voice. Cleveland State University (CSU) strives to focus on that ideology year-round, regardless of the election cycle, so that students understand the importance of civic engagement.

Because of the University’s efforts, CSU was most recently awarded a Gold Seal for 2022 by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. The initiative focuses on (and encourages students to be involved in) civic matters, specifically voting efforts, and monitors campus performance.

“The Office of Civic Engagement is honored to again have its year-round nonpartisan student civic engagement and voter education efforts recognized by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge,” said Anita Ruf-Young, director of CSU’s Office of Civic Engagement (OCE). This is the seventh time CSU’s efforts have been recognized by the organization since 2016.

“We work each day on multiple fronts to ensure that our campus community is registered to vote and informed on local, state and national voting issues,” Ruf-Young added.

Approximately 40 percent of CSU students cast ballots in the 2022 midterm election, which is about 10 percent higher than the national voting rate, as described by the National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement from Tufts University. 

To keep students informed, the office organizes events like Vikings athletics meeting with Ohio’s secretary of state. There are also 23 on-campus tables focused on voter engagement and registration, along with a newly added civic engagement course, Vikes Vote, to educate students about all things electoral.

“Success on campus and in the classroom builds engagement, it backfills itself. We’ve created a coalition of sorts with our community partners that we’re extremely proud of and grow opportunities with them throughout the year,” Ruf-Young said. 

Cleveland Votes, the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, LAND the Vote, Northeast Ohio Voter Advocates and Campus Vote Project are some of the organizations that partner with OCE to support and bolster CSU’s mission and engagement efforts. 

For more information regarding civic action at CSU, visit this page.