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Gannon University has been officially designated a Voter Friendly Campus, which is a prestigious national recognition awarded to institutions that demonstrate a strong commitment to promoting civic engagement, democratic participation and voter education among students. 

This designation reflects ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ’s ongoing efforts to foster a culture of civic responsibility across campus through collaborative programming, education and outreach that empowers students to make their voices heard in the electoral process. ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ is among a select group of colleges and universities across the country to receive the designation for the national elections. 

 The Voter Friendly Campus designation program was started through a partnership between Fair Elections Center’s Campus Vote Project and NASPA-Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. This partnership was formed as a tool to support higher education institutions fulfilling the requirements of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which necessitates that institutions distribute voter registration forms to their students.  

“This achievement is a reflection of the incredible work of so many across our campus community,” said Anjali Sahay, Ph.D., director of the School of Public Service and Global Affairs, who led the application process and submitted the university’s final report. “Faculty, staff and students all played a role in elevating voter engagement at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ. I’m proud to have helped take the School of Public Service and Global Affairs one step further in its mission to develop civic-minded citizens—and I look forward to building on this momentum as we head into future elections.” 

 Sahay worked closely with departments and individuals across campus, including university leadership, to develop and implement a comprehensive action plan. One of the groups Sahay worked with was CIVIC, a student-led organization whose mission is to create a welcoming space for campus-wide bipartisan dialogue and informed political participation. Together, they encouraged voter registration, provided access to polling locations and information about candidates, educated students on voting rights and processes, and created opportunities for meaningful dialogue around civic responsibility.  

 “When college students vote we are not only shaping the present but also shaping the future of the country because we are the citizens of tomorrow,” said Trent D. Michael, a social studies/secondary education major and president of CIVIC.  “Erie, being a purple county in a purple state, has a lot of influence and we made the campus aware of this. We took and will continue to take a bipartisan approach to civic engagement on campus.”  

 Dr. Jeff Bloodworth’s Road to the White House course also engaged students by connecting them to local political events and working with local media outlets to showcase students’ political insights on air.  

 The Voter Friendly Campus designation aims to bolster voter engagement efforts to make their voices heard through election cycles and building strong bonds with both the students and the Erie community.  

To learn more about the Voter Friendly Campus initiative and the full list of designated campuses, visit .