Ramapo College Nationally Recognized For Campus Civic Engagement

MAHWAH, NJ — Ramapo College of New Jersey was nationally recognized for "making intentional efforts" to promote democratic engagement and increase student voting, the college said in a news release.

Ramapo earned the Most Engaged Campus Designation from Washington, DC-based initiative ALL IN, joining a group of nearly 400 institutions across the U.S. that participated in the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge and completed a set of action items.

“It is an affirmation of the team effort that has gone into our work to ignite student civic engagement and democratic participation,” Ramapo's Civic Engagement Coordinator Karen Booth said.

Ramapo earned the designation by developing and submitting a democratic engagement action plan, sharing campus voting data, and signing ALL IN's Commitment to Full Student Voter Participation.

“It is inspiring to see our students engage so meaningfully in leading these efforts in support of the democratic process,”Ramapo College President Cindy Jebb said. “This type of effort and service requires critical inquiry, interpersonal acumen, and a considered appreciation for what it means to be part of a democratic society."

More than 77% of Ramapo students turned out for the 2020 election, outpacing the nationwide average by 11% and representing an increase of more than 22% from 2016, the college said in the news release.

“College student voter turnout has increased since 2016, and this increase has been driven by students," Jennifer Domagal-Goldman, Executive Director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, said. “These students registered voters, served on their campus voting coalitions, spearheaded voter education efforts, advocated for campus polling locations and organized other voter engagement efforts to ensure their peers were confident and informed voters.