ABSTRACT
This chapter reports on higher education’s efforts to engage students in the democratic process. After reviewing the relevant literature on college and university initiatives, as well as other voter organizations’ efforts to increase student political engagement, it describe several of Saint Louis University (SLU)’s voter engagement activities that have enhanced voter registration and recent turnout rates. In 2012, SLU expanded the work of its Voter Engagement Committee, which includes representatives from faculty, staff, students, and partners with academic units and student groups to help students recognize and develop the personal and social responsibility to become civically and politically engaged citizens. In 2020, SLU saw a surge in voter engagement leadership from its student athletes. A social policy student who is a member of the Indian Student Association and SLU’s flag football team helped develop the “Voterpuff” voter registration competition.
