Mercyhurst University earns national recognition for nonpartisan civic engagement
University's award-winning action plan supports year-round civic engagement, with special programming planned for Election Day.
Mercyhurst University has earned the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge's Highly Established Action Plan Seal for the 2026 election cycle, recognizing the university's commitment to strengthening nonpartisan civic engagement among students.
Mercyhurst's 2026–27 Nonpartisan Democratic Engagement Action Plan received 29 of 32 possible points under ALL IN's Strengthening American Democracy Action Planning Guide rubric, exceeding the 28-point threshold for the distinction. Mercyhurst is among 272 campuses recognized for the 2026 election cycle.
Developed through the university's Academic Community Engagement (ACE) office under the leadership of coordinator Emmily Nelson, the plan establishes a year-round approach to civic learning, voter education, and student leadership.
The initiative focuses on preparing students to vote, expanding participation in civic engagement activities, developing student leaders, and integrating civic learning into the broader Mercyhurst experience.
A campus-wide Democratic Engagement Coalition brings together faculty, staff, administrators, and community partners, including the League of Women Voters. The plan also supports student-led civic engagement efforts, expanded access to voter information, and opportunities for nonpartisan discussion and education.
With students coming to Mercyhurst from across Pennsylvania and throughout the country, the initiative emphasizes providing reliable information about voter registration, polling locations, and voting options, whether students cast their ballots locally or in their home communities.
"Our Lakers come from across Pennsylvania and all over the country, and we want every one of them to feel ready to vote, wherever their ballot is," Nelson said. "This recognition belongs to the students, faculty, and staff who know that civic life isn't a once-every-few-years thing. It's part of who we are as a Mercy institution. We're proud of this milestone, and we're just getting started."
Lakers for Democracy prepares for Election Day
As part of its ongoing civic engagement efforts, ACE's Lakers for Democracy initiative is helping students prepare for Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Through support from Campus Takeover, a program of the Students Learn Students Vote Coalition, ACE is offering Lyft ride codes to students who need transportation to their polling locations. Students are encouraged to confirm their polling places, develop a voting plan, and contact ACE to request transportation assistance.
The campus community is also invited to an Election Day gathering in the Student Union from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring free coffee, cider, and donuts.
Beyond Election Day, Mercyhurst's action plan calls for continued civic engagement programming, student leadership opportunities, and annual assessments to help sustain these efforts throughout the academic year.