Wichita State University’s efforts to encourage student voter turnout and engagement continue to grow.

In November, WSU earned “Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting” recognition from ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. It is one of 394 colleges and universities recognized for making intentional, nonpartisan efforts to increase student voter participation.

“This is in line with work we’ve been doing for a while,” said Gabriel Fonseca, director of Student Engagement, Advocacy & Leadership. “It feels like we’re doing the right work and good work and being recognized among other institutions.”

In September, Shockers Vote! coalition invited Sedgwick County local, state and federal candidates to meet students in the Rhatigan Student Center for discussions.

“What was good was that our students were able to go have those one-on-one conversations with the candidates and really talk to them about the things they’re particularly interested in,” Fonseca said. “It was more of an engaging, one-on-one conversation.”

Fonseca said Shockers Vote! also doubled the number of voter registration drives this semester by working with student organizations.

In August, Wichita State earned a Highly Established Action Plan Seal designation from the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge for initiatives such as roundtable discussions, early voting and voter registration drives.

The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) is a national nonpartisan initiative of Civic Nation, a 501(c)(3) organization. The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge strives to change civic culture and institutionalize democratic engagement activities and programs on college campuses, making voter participation a defining feature of campus life.