August 30th, 2018 by WCBC Radio
Allegany College of Maryland was awarded a $1,850 grant for participation in Engage the Election: 2018 through Campus Compact’s newest community college engagement initiative, The Democracy Commitment (TDC). Students can participate in TDC’s National Voter Registration Day Contest, be part of a deliberative dialogue forum on Sept. 21 focused on the Parker Palmer book “Healing the Heart of Democracy” and attend an Election Day party on campus on Nov. 6. Events are open to the public.
“We’re interested in creating great leaders and fostering life-long civic engagement. This grant helps lay that foundation by encouraging involvement and conversation,” explained Service Learning and Civic Engagement Center Director Dr. Diane McMahon.
The Democracy Commitment (TDC) is dedicated to the advancement of civic learning and engagement at community colleges. Founded in 2011, the initiative ensures that millions of community college students graduate with an education in democracy and civic responsibility. TDC supports volunteerism, service learning and civic work, including: democratic practice, electoral engagement, community engagement, civic education integration and assessment, diversity and deliberative democracy. Located in Boston, TDC became an initiative of Campus Compact in 2018.
According to the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE), only 45.6% of college students at two-year higher education institutions voted in the 2016 election. Nearly 10 million students participated in the NSLVE study, of whom 22% attended community colleges.
“Our students care deeply about issues that matter to them: student debt, jobs, access to health care, the addiction epidemic, poverty, racism, mass incarceration, gender-based violence, veterans’ services, etc.,” said McMahon. “This grant encourages them to head to the polls so their voices can be heard.”
For more information call the Service Learning and Civic Engagement Center at 301-784-5036 or email dmcmahon@allegany.edu.
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