(Frederick, MD) -- Ten outstanding student leaders from Transform Mid-Atlantic member colleges and universities were recognized for their leadership in advancing nonpartisan student voter registration, education, and turnout efforts during the 2022 midterm elections at the 2023 ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge National Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, November 14. The students, who were formally inducted into the ALL IN Challenge’s Student Voting Honor Roll earlier this year, were also recognized for leadership in ensuring equitable access to voter participation.
2023 students honor roll designees from TMA member campuses in MD, DC, DE, and WV included:
- Allen Lee Brown, Jr. | Allegany College of Maryland (Maryland)
- Jared Davis | Bowie State University (Maryland)
- Rachael Michalski | Frostburg State University (Maryland)
- Romel Thurman | Gallaudet University (District of Columbia)
- Isabella Reed | The George Washington University (District of Columbia)
- Greta Maras | Johns Hopkins University (Maryland)
- Patrick M Sasu, Jr. | Montgomery College (Maryland)
- Emma Booth | Community College of Baltimore County (Maryland)
- Renee Paulraj | University of Maryland, College Park (Maryland)
- Musa Jafri | University of Maryland, Baltimore County (Maryland)
Isabella Reed, a student recognized at The George Washington University, was nominated by former Interim President Mark Wrighton to serve as a 2023-2024 TMA Civic Fellow and Rachael Michalski will be recognized at the 2023 TMA Awards Ceremony as the recipient of a 2023 Transformational Student Leadership Award.
“That these young and tireless advocates for democratic participation were recognized nationally for their community-based efforts reflects the strong institutional capacity and commitment that colleges and universities in the region demonstrate,” said TMA Executive Director Madeline Yates. “We simply cannot be prouder of the students’ accomplishments, and we look forward to building on their work as we approach the 2024 elections.”
Additionally, Kenny Blakeney, Head Coach of the Howard University Men’s Basketball Team in the District of Columbia, was recognized as Standout Collegiate Athletic Coach at the November 14 Award Ceremony.
According to ALL IN, the 2022 elections saw the second highest youth voter turnout for a midterm election in thirty years. More than 960 institutions enrolling 9.7 million students participate in the ALL IN Challenge, which supports colleges and universities in achieving excellence in nonpartisan student voter engagement. Of those, nearly 30 colleges and universities in MD, DC, DE, and WV participated in the ALL IN Challenge during the 2022 elections. Transform Mid-Atlantic serves as the ALL IN Challenge’s regional partner for campuses located in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Delaware.
“Despite nationwide attempts to undermine democracy through restrictive voting laws, college students made their voices heard during the 2022 midterm elections,” said Jen Domagal-Goldman, Executive Director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. “Each and everyone of us has a role to play in promoting nonpartisan student democratic engagement. The individuals we are celebrating today are leading the way on their campuses and in their communities to ensure that every student has the tools and information they need to participate in our democracy and cast their ballot.”
Following the release of data from the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE) later this year, ALL IN will also recognize individual campuses that achieved outstanding student voter registration and turn out rates. TMA will be hosting an in-person event in the Spring 2024 semester to recognize these campuses and to convene students, administrators, and community partners to plan for the 2024 elections.
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About ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge: The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge’s (ALL IN) mission is to foster civic culture and institutionalize democratic engagement activities and programs at colleges and universities, making them a defining feature of campus life. ALL IN also strives to close voting gaps based on age and race, with a particular focus on increasing support and outreach for minority serving institutions (MSIs) and community colleges.
About Transform Mid-Atlantic: Transform Mid-Atlantic is a non-profit membership association of public, private, 2- and 4-year colleges and universities, including many HBCUs and minority serving institutions. Transform Mid-Atlantic provides leadership to colleges and universities in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Delaware by advocating, supporting, and encouraging institutional participation in academic and co-curricular based public service and civic engagement programs.