CUMU Conference 2019

Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development (PHENND)'s mini-workshop will explore the role of higher eds in student democratic development and provide participants with lessons learned from some of Philadelphia's successful student voter engagement efforts.

The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) and the Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) will present key challenges, successes and promising next steps with non-partisan programs that are student-run and institutionally supported. PHENND, whose membership includes over 30 higher eds in Philadelphia and the surrounding area, will share how it is creating opportunities for learning and collaboration across campuses.

While higher eds have both an opportunity and a responsibility to support students’ democratic development and civic engagement, including but not limited to voting, both the explicit and the implicit curriculum can directly inhibit them.

Student leadership in student voter engagement through service learning classes, research projects, internships and volunteer roles is mutually transformational. It positively impacts both student learning and institutional transformation -- while positively and measurably impacting voter and civic engagement.

Penn and CCP have identified key issues regarding governance, management, structure, and resources needed for implementing campus-wide and non-partisan voter engagement efforts. In addition, these programs are identifying important policy change opportunities at the higher ed and the local government levels.

Attendees will be provided with campus-wide voter engagement plans created by Penn and CCP. This will include samples of student research and service-learning courses that are helping to develop, implement and evaluate the programs, as well as examples of student engagement materials and messages.