PVCC Receives Civic Engagement Recognition
Skye Scott, assistant editor
This year, PVCC participated in the All-in Campus Democracy Challenge along with 301 other colleges and universities in the United States. Other Virginia colleges that participated were James Madison University, Virginia Commonwealth University, The University of Virginia, and George Mason University, not including Washington D.C. colleges. PVCC was the only community college from Virginia to participate.
“By recognizing colleges and universities for their commitment to increasing student voting rates, the Challenge encourages higher education institutions to help students form the habits of active and informed citizenship, make democratic participation a core value on their campus, and cultivate generations of engaged citizens who are essential to a healthy democracy,” according to the All In Campus Democracy Challenge official website.
PVCC earned a Silver Seal for student voter ratings between 60-69 percent during the 2016 presidential election. PVCC also received the Champion Award for best voter engagement.
“We’re incredibly proud to receive this national recognition. PVCC’s students, faculty and staff worked extremely hard in 2016 to raise awareness and encourage students to become more involved. This is an ongoing effort that we’re not planning to do just once every four years; we’ll continue promoting voting, democratic and community engagement and civic knowledge every year,” said PVCC Assistant Professor of Political Science Connie Jorgensen.