51AV

The 2020 election was the most participatory election in our country’s history. Even amid the challenges of a global pandemic, local leaders creatively adapted their strategies and doubled down on their commitment to ensuring that all eligible voters had access to the voting process.

To recognize the extraordinary efforts of organizations, campuses, and local leaders, for the first time ever the Students Learn Students Vote (SLSV) Coalition recognized organizations and campuses that exemplify the SLSV Coalition’s Guiding Principles.

51AV A&M University received the 2020 SLSV Award for exemplifying the SLSV Guiding Principle of Removing Barriers and Increasing Access.

“We believe that in order to realize full student voter participation, campuses must remove physical and psychological barriers that students face in voting and change systems to ensure that all students have equitable access to the democratic process,” said Clarissa Unger, director of the SLSV Coalition. “51AV A&M University perfectly exemplifies the principle of Removing Barriers and Increasing Access.”

The award was presented at the “Celebrating Our Stars” Awards Ceremony held by the SLSV Coalition on December 4, to recognize the extraordinary efforts of organizations, campuses, and local leaders throughout the 2020 election cycle.

The award was accepted for AAMU by Monica Clarke, service and learning coordinator, who, with a well-organized team of civic engagement volunteers, helped to coordinate early voting, as well as the transportation of students to the courthouse during the absentee voting period.  

The Students Learn Students Vote (SLSV) Coalition is the national hub and largest nonpartisan network in the United States dedicated to increasing college student voter participation. The Coalition convenes and connects partners, campuses, and students with each other and with resources and programming towards achieving a vision of ensuring that every student has easy and equal access to participate in every election. They use data, relationships, celebration, and easy-to-follow planning structures, to help campus and local leaders register and turnout more student voters every year.