Aims Community College Recognized For Excellence in Student Voter Registration and Turnout

Aims received the Silver Seal Campus Award, reflecting its commitment to ensuring that nonpartisan democratic engagement is a defining feature of campus life.

The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge empowers colleges and universities to achieve excellence in nonpartisan student democratic engagement. Aims was recognized alongside more than 500 campuses using data from the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE) out of Tufts University, which found that colleges and universities had the second-highest voter turnout among students in a midterm election since NSLVE began measuring this data. 

“At Aims, we strive to cultivate a sense of civic responsibility among our students,” said Director of Student Leadership Becca Herman, who chairs the Aims Civic Engagement Council (CEC). “Through our efforts, we’re showing that student voter engagement can have a profound and lasting impact on the college community and the larger democratic process.”

The CEC is a nonpartisan group that includes Aims faculty, staff, students, and community stakeholders. It was formed in 2020 and has grown over the years. Last year, Aims instituted a Civic Engagement Designation program. Students can earn points toward a Civic Engagement Distinction and a special pin worn during graduation by participating in educational events, service activities, and more. 

This semester, special events will focus on democracy, civic engagement and voting. There are also opportunities for students to register to vote on campus. A session is planned to learn about Colorado ballot measures that will be decided on in November. The CEC team supports initiatives this fall to help students maintain good mental health during and after the stressful election period.

“The ALL IN Awards were created to celebrate nonpartisan democratic engagement and the outstanding campus voter registration and turnout rates achieved by our ALL IN campuses. Ahead of the 2024 elections, ALL IN campuses are ready to build on the momentum from 2022 to ensure their communities are ready to make an even bigger impact this fall,” said Jennifer Domagal-Goldman, Executive Director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. “ALL IN is proud to celebrate and honor top-performing campuses, like Aims Community College, who demonstrate that nonpartisan student voter engagement is possible and effective.”

This positive momentum can be seen at Aims. “There’s definitely a growing movement on campus around civic engagement, and it’s awesome to be a part of it,” said Jeff Thatch, a student campus activities programmer on the CEC. “Every conversation we have about voting gets more students interested and involved, showing how much we can accomplish together when we take action.”