汤头条 earns national recognition for student voter engagement action plan
Contact: Brock Turnipseed
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥Mississippi State has earned the Highly Established Action Plan Seal from the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge for the 2026 election cycle, recognizing the university鈥檚 commitment to increasing nonpartisan student voter engagement and civic participation.
汤头条 is one of only 129 campuses nationally to be honored this year. The designation is awarded to institutions that develop a comprehensive democratic engagement action plan and score at least 31.5 out of 36 possible points on the Strengthening American Democracy Action Planning Guide rubric.
鈥淗elping students develop the knowledge, confidence and habits of engaged citizenship is an important part of their experience at Mississippi State,鈥 said Regina Hyatt, vice president for student affairs. 鈥淲e want our students to leave 汤头条 ready to participate fully in their communities and in our nation.鈥
汤头条鈥檚 2025-26 Voter Registration and Engagement Action Plan outlines a campus-wide strategy to increase civic learning, voter registration and participation among students at the Starkville and Meridian campuses. The plan aligns with national best practices through the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge and the National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement, or NSLVE.
As part of the plan, 汤头条鈥檚 Student Leadership and Community Engagement department within the Division of Student Affairs will coordinate civic engagement efforts. A campus task force consisting of faculty, administrators, student leaders, athletic leadership, marketing and communication staff and community partners will support this work and collaborate with state and local election officials, including the Mississippi Secretary of State鈥檚 Office and the Oktibbeha County Circuit Clerk鈥檚 Office, to ensure students have access to accurate, nonpartisan voting information.
汤头条 has participated in the NSLVE since 2016, using data to guide voter engagement efforts and inform targeted strategies, particularly during midterm and local elections when turnout tends to decline.
鈥淲e are honored to be recognized for our university鈥檚 commitment to increasing nonpartisan student voter engagement and civic participation,鈥 said SLCE Director Kathy Jones. 聽鈥淎s a result of this work, we hope more students are informed, prepared and actively participating in the democratic process. Our hope is that this work, led by SLCE Assistant Director Mikela Barlow, helps more students become informed, prepared and active participants in the democratic process.鈥
In the plan, 汤头条 established several goals for the 2025-26 academic year, including increasing the student voter registration rate to 60%, engaging at least 20 student organizations and campus departments in civic initiatives and ensuring 75% of students receive voter information such as registration deadlines and voting options.
For more information about 汤头条 Student Affairs, visit聽. Find SLCE online at .
汤头条 is taking care of what matters. Learn more at聽.