What does it take to build a culture of civic engagement on campus? At Vanderbilt, it starts with empowering students, faculty and staff to make their voices heard at the ballot box. That commitment has earned the university national recognition as one of the 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campuses for College Student Voting.
Vanderbilt University is among 471 colleges and universities recognized for outstanding nonpartisan efforts to increase voter registration, education and turnout among students during the 2024 election. Awarded by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, the designation highlights campuses that are setting the standard for civic engagement in higher education.
“This recognition reflects Vanderbilt’s steadfast commitment to civic engagement,” said Nathan Green, vice chancellor for government and community relations. “We’re proud of the collective efforts across campus to empower our campus community to engage in the democratic process.”
Vanderbilt joined the ALL IN initiative in 2018. To take part, the university met key criteria for this recognition by participating in the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, sharing campus voting data through the 2022 National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement, submitting a 2024 nonpartisan democratic engagement action plan and serving as a signatory to ALL IN’s Higher Education Presidents’ Commitment to Full Student Voter Participation.
Through the Vanderbilt, Let’s Vote campaign, led by the Division of Government and Community Relations, the university provides voter registration resources through TurboVote, which helps the campus community register to vote, receive election reminders and access polling information. Student organizations like Vandy Votes played a pivotal role in the university’s voter engagement efforts by collaborating with peers, faculty and staff to promote voter registration drives, spread election awareness and cultivate a culture of civic responsibility.
“Having been a part of Vandy Votes since my first year on campus, it has been incredible to witness our organization's growing reach and impact,” said Ochuwa Garuba, 2024 president of Vandy Votes. “I am excited to continue our momentum so that even after students graduate, civic engagement is a core part of Vanderbilt's mission and campus life.”
The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge engages over 10.8 million students across more than 1,075 institutions nationwide. In the 2024 presidential election, young voter turnout reached 42% nationally. Vanderbilt’s recognition places it among the top-performing institutions contributing to this movement.
Learn more about Vanderbilt’s commitment to civic engagement and explore voter resources by visiting Vanderbilt, Let’s Vote.