Michigan State University has a longstanding commitment to promoting nonpartisan democratic engagement on campus, particularly through initiatives focused on voter registration and turnout. This dedication was recently recognized by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, which honored MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D., and student Lucas Gravatt. ALL IN is a national initiative of Civic Nation, an organization dedicated to building a more inclusive and equitable country by collectively addressing social challenges.

 

These accomplishments would not be possible without the efforts of MSUvote, a nonpartisan campus committee whose mission is to increase the number of registered student voters, inform and educate students on candidates and issues, and bolster student participation on Election Day.

Guskiewicz received the Standout President Award for his commitment to promoting an institutional environment that values student voter engagement by empowering campus leaders, staff, and student organizations to advance initiatives aimed at increasing voter registration and turnout. His leadership has helped lay the foundation for the university to continue promoting democratic participation, ensuring that civic engagement remains a priority for the institution in the years ahead.

 

Lucas Gravatt, a recent MSU graduate, was named to the 2025 ALL IN Student Voting Honor Roll. The honor roll recognizes students who have contributed to the advancement of nonpartisan student voter registration, education, and turnout efforts in their communities. He is one of only 232 individuals named to the honor roll across the country.

“Lucas was instrumental in registering more than 350 MSU students to vote, connecting with upwards of 1,770 individuals directly through outreach and events, and collaborating with professors across campus to engage students in the classroom,” said Allyn Shaw, interim co-lead, Division of Student Affairs, assistant vice president for Student Development and Leadership, and Dean of Students.

Jordan Zammit, democratic engagement coordinator with MSUvote, nominated Gravatt for the award. “Lucas’ dedication to empowering students and fostering a culture of civic participation at MSU is exemplary,” Zammit said.

Guskiewicz and Gravatt were recognized during a virtual awards ceremony in April.

This story originally featured on the Center for Community Engaged Learning website.