Raritan Valley Community College President, Michael McDonough, has been selected to serve on the Presidents’ Council of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge in 2024. This prestigious role positions McDonough alongside 13 other college and university presidents from across the nation, whose mission is to promote nonpartisan democratic engagement on their respective campuses.
Tasked with supporting senior leaders in higher education, the Presidents’ Council oversees a network of over 625 college and university presidents, provosts, and chancellors committed to ensuring full student voter registration and participation in the upcoming 2024 elections through the ALL IN Presidents’ Commitment.
Brad Mortensen, president of Weber State University, will chair the council. McDonough, expressing his dedication to encouraging student participation in the electoral process, said in a statement, “At RVCC, we are dedicated to educating our students not only in the classroom, but also preparing them for a lifetime of good citizenship as engaged members in their communities.”
McDonough’s commitment to promoting civic engagement was recognized nationally in November when he was awarded the title of “Standout President” by the 2023 ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, an honor conferred for his exemplary efforts as a leader in higher education.
Jennifer Domagal-Goldman, executive director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, emphasized the importance of higher education leaders in cultivating a culture of nonpartisan civic engagement and voter participation, especially among young voters. Despite recent increases in youth voter turnout, there remains significant work to be done; only 23% of youth under 30 cast their ballots in the 2022 midterm elections.
The ALL IN initiative has made substantial progress in increasing the number of college and university presidents committed to fostering full student voter participation on their campuses. The Presidents’ Council and the Presidents’ Commitment are integral components of ALL IN’s mission to prioritize nonpartisan voter registration on college campuses nationwide.
In alignment with past legislation, including the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, the Presidents’ Commitment pledges institutions to various actions, including empowering students, educating voters, and actively participating in democratic engagement plans.
Leadership on the Presidents’ Council is dedicated to supporting all institutions in their efforts towards nonpartisan full student voter participation. For further information about the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, visit allinchallenge.org/.
