March 16, 2021-Missouri Western State University received the 2021-2022 designation of Voter Friendly Campus from Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and Fair Election Center’s Campus Vote Project. This designation has been awarded to 234 colleges and universities across the United States including five in Missouri. Missouri Western’s designation is valid through December 2022.
Missouri Western’s team for achieving this designation was led by student Jordan Miller; Dr. Edwin Taylor, chair and associate professor of political science; and Dr. Hannah Piechowski, associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students.
“I am beyond impressed by the work of Jordan Miller, our student who served as the Campus Election Engagement Project Fellow this year,” said Dr. Piechowski. “His ability to create effective programming in the midst of the pandemic and lead our group to receive this designation is truly incredible. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him.”
Designated universities had to engage their campus communities and promote voter registration and voting as part of their institutional mission. Missouri Western was eligible by writing a campus plan about how we would engage student voters in 2020, facilitate voter education and engagement efforts, and submit a final analysis of efforts. The goal of the Voter Friendly Campus designation program is to bolster efforts that help students overcome barriers to participating in the political process and develop a culture of democratic engagement on campus.
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.