NOTE: Quinn Knispel, a senior at Nebraska Wesleyan University and Civic Nebraska’s 2024 public policy intern, recently attended the National Student Vote Summit at the University of Maryland. Here are a few of her takeaways.
At Wesleyan, I sometimes find myself as one of few concerned about civic engagement among my age group. So, it was invigorating last week to attend the Students Learn Students Vote Coalition summit at the University of Maryland and learn from fellow young Americans about their different perspectives and ideas on what our shared future might look like.
The Coalition is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to increasing voter participation among young people. This year’s summit featured students, nonprofits, and faculty moments of gathering and collaboration. The National Student Vote Summit offered a space to build connections, share experiences and discussions nationwide, and provide resources and valuable training.
I attended several breakout sessions that delved into communication styles that work best for young people and strategies for every stage of student engagement. Then, I co-hosted a student-led discussion on the future of our democracy as a member of a discussion panel.
One memorable discussion prompt I continue to reflect upon is: Do young people have a home in democracy?
One of my peers said, “The people who can reach a large audience – and this is mostly older individuals who have the time and resources – usually run for office.” Another explained they felt “very represented on a local level but not on a large scale institutional level.” A woman from the Tennessee Campus Democracy Network shared her concerns about AI emerging as an issue for democratic systems (a conversation Civic Nebraska is leading in Nebraska, as well). Many emphasized the importance of peer-to-peer connection in policy and contacting college campuses to share civic engagement ideas.
Gathering with young people passionate about their communities’ future and civic engagement uplifted and empowered me. Many students shared entertaining stories—one student civic leader said he registered a long line of voters in a Popeye’s drive-thru!
Most of all, I left with a clear understanding that civic engagement can manifest in many ways. It can involve writing a letter to your state senator this legislative session, actively listening to someone you disagree with, or reading articles from various trusted media sources. It does not always have to involve big, newsworthy stories. Small actions can make a difference for all of us.
To learn more about the Students Learn Students Vote Coalition, click here.
– Quinn Knispel
