*Please note: This article is a student blog written by a Kevin B. Harrington Student Ambassador. The Ambassador Program is a unique opportunity for Saint Anselm College students of any major to be involved in supporting the Institute's various events and activities. To learn more about our student ambassadors please visit the NHIOP website.
The Kevin B. Harrington Student Ambassadors worked with the New Hampshire Institute of Politics (NHIOP) to present two different programs for Civic Engagement Week in September. The primary goal of the ambassador program and the Institute is to facilitate student involvement in politics.
On Monday September 18th, there was a celebration for Constitution Day that recognized the adoption of the U.S. Constitution through the “Cake & Constitution” event. Ambassadors served cake to students while also handing out free pocket Constitutions. Students walking through the Jean Student Center were excited to leave with both cake and a copy of the Constitution.
As Civic Engagement Week continued, the ambassadors hosted an event for National Voter Registration Day that took place on Tuesday, September 19th, on the Alumni Hall Quad. NHIOP ambassadors offered information about voter registration, while also encouraging those walking by to get free Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. This ice cream food truck was a hit with both students and professors.
Ambassadors had posters with QR codes to check voter registration and to register students online if their resident state had the option. Additionally, Ambassadors had a map of the U.S. where students could place a pushpin where they were registered. As expected, there were a lot of push pins in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, but there were also many registered to vote in Texas, California, and several other states. Student volunteers also had a whiteboard that encouraged individuals to write down their reason for voting.
Ellie Duffin ’25, shared that her reason for voting was “to be involved in my community,” while Mario Ventresca ’25, shared that he votes because “it’s my civic duty.” Ambassadors emphasized that regardless of their reasoning, everyone should register to vote, and get an ice cream cone from Ben & Jerry’s while they’re at it.
Both Cake & Constitution and National Voter Registration Day events were a success for the campus community and were able to promote civic involvement at Saint Anselm.
Grace Tierney ’24, program co-chair stated, “Civic engagement week reminds us, as the community of Saint Anselm, what it means to care about the world, the social issues and topics that come with it, and why we can make a difference. It is exciting to see people participate in that on campus through the NHIOP!”