Va21 is Back to Make Sure Your Voice is Heard.
With all of the clubs that PVCC has to offer, many students have a hard time deciding which one best fits their interests. There is a club for book lovers, chess enthusiasts, and even anime-niacs. However, if you are a political whiz, or just looking for a club that advocates for young people’s involvement in democracy, look no further than PVCC’s chapter of the Va21 club.
The Va21 club had disappeared from PVCC’s club roster, but the fall semester of 2019 marked its triumphant return to campus.
The club works to educate young people and students of all ages to get them involved in democracy and advocate for changes they want to see, primarily in education policies. Va21 focuses on state politics and how the state government directly affects students’ lives.
Although many students may have an interest in politics, especially in the extremely polarized times we live in, lack of extensive knowledge often serves as a barrier which prevents students from pursuing clubs like Va21.
The club’s faculty adviser and Assistant Professor of Politics, Connie Jorgensen, reassured weary students saying, “Students should be absolutely comfortable attending, no matter what their level of knowledge may be.”
Jorgensen has a passion for politics. Not only does Jorgensen teach political science, but she also served in local government and is heading PVCC’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) entitled “Civic Sense”.
The goal of the QEP is an extension of that regarding the Va21 club: to engage young people in democracy.
According to Jorgensen, the club promotes both the activism and the education of its members. “Not only do we educate members, but we encourage members to educate their friends and peers,” said Jorgensen. “If we don’t pay attention and take action, we are letting people do unto us.”
According to the PVCC website, the club has a plethora of benefits available to its members ranging from opportunities to lobby the General Assembly, tour the state capitol, and attending leadership conferences with public officials.
The club also has its own website available to the public, where blogs, tips, and opportunities for involvement are featured. The website is virginia21.org, and students are invited to check it out.
While these opportunities are not exclusive to club members, Jorgensen pointed out that Va21 exposes members to opportunities they may not have realized existed. “The opportunities are available to everyone, but they often cost money,” said Jorgensen. She explained how the club maintains a budget that sponsors members, enabling them to attend events.
Jorgensen also said that the best part of the club is its credibility. “When members attend events on behalf of the club, they are taken seriously,” said Jorgensen. Meetings take place each Monday from 12-1 p.m. in room M158. The club invites all students to attend and ensure that their voices are heard.
