MSU earns national recognition for student voter engagement action plan
Contact: Brock Turnipseed
STARKVILLE, Miss.—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’s commitment to increasing nonpartisan student voter engagement and civic participation.
MSU 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.
“Helping students develop the knowledge, confidence and habits of engaged citizenship is an important part of their experience at Mississippi State,” said Regina Hyatt, vice president for student affairs. “We want our students to leave MSU ready to participate fully in their communities and in our nation.”
MSU’s 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, MSU’s 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’s Office and the Oktibbeha County Circuit Clerk’s Office, to ensure students have access to accurate, nonpartisan voting information.
MSU 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.
“We are honored to be recognized for our university’s commitment to increasing nonpartisan student voter engagement and civic participation,” said SLCE Director Kathy Jones. “As 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.”
In the plan, MSU 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 MSU Student Affairs, visit saffairs.msstate.edu. Find SLCE online at slce.msstate.edu.
Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.