KENNESAW, Ga. | Aug 27, 2018

Kennesaw State among 58 nationwide honored by Washington Monthly

Kennesaw State University has been recognized by the Washington Monthly as being one of a select group of universities nationwide that demonstrates a high level of commitment in encouraging its students to vote. Released annually, the College Guide and Rankings scores institutions based on their contributions to social mobility, research and public service.

Kennesaw State, the lone Georgia university on the list, was one of 58 universities to earn a perfect score in the Student Voting category. A total of 1,488 colleges and universities were analyzed by the Washington Monthly.

“KSU has long been committed to having a fully engaged student body, and we are very proud to be recognized for our efforts in demonstrating the value of civic and community engagement to our students,” said Michael Sanseviro, associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students.

According to the Washington Monthly, a strong indicator of whether an institution is meeting its civic mission is to look at the voting rates of its students. More than half of Kennesaw State students voted in the 2016 Presidential Election.

“Since voting habits tend to crystallize in young adulthood — vote in one election, and you’re far more likely to do so again — colleges and universities have an unparalleled opportunity to create voters not just for the next election, but for life,” wrote Saahil Desai, digital editor for the Washington Monthly.

Institutions listed in the Student Voting category were rated based on four criteria, the first of which requires participation in Tufts University’s National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement (NSLVE), a program designed to provide colleges and universities insight on their students’ voting habits through student registration and voting rates. Colleges were given additional points for joining the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge and making its action plan publicly available. A fourth and final point was given for releasing its NSLVE data publicly.

Each September, Kennesaw State holds Constitution Week. This year’s celebration is scheduled for Sept. 17-25, and will feature a variety of events focused on voter registration and rights, as well as election-related and educational activities at both the Marietta and Kennesaw campuses. The final day of Constitution Week coincides with National Voter Registration Day.

In March 2017, KSU became the only university in Georgia designated as a “Voter Friendly Campus,” an initiative by national nonpartisan organizations Campus Vote Project and NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education to bolster efforts that help students overcome barriers to participating in the political process.

For more information on KSU’s voter registration efforts, visit vote.kennesaw.edu.

– Travis Highfield

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.