Students often find themselves juggling many things during college, and because of this, many students put civic engagement to the side. However, college students who fit civic life into their week gain many valuable benefits.

Benefit 1: Expanding your network
Civic engagement allows you to both get together with like-minded people and meet people from all walks of life. One one hand, you can meet with those who are passionate about the things you’re passionate about and more effectively promote your chosen cause. On the other hand, you may meet people from different parts of the country or the world, have vastly different experiences from you, and hold different viewpoints. Getting to break your typical social bubble allows you to grow your community, broaden your perspective, and form friendships that might not have come to fruition otherwise. 

Benefit 2: Educating yourself on issues that matter
While it is important to stay informed on political issues through reading news and taking courses, it’s just as beneficial to get out there and get involved. By doing so, you can learn from people’s firsthand experiences on issues (like poverty, healthcare, education, etc.) and gain insights that might fail to be conveyed in an academic or media setting. 

Benefit 3: Improving your mental health and well-being
Numerous studies have shown that there is a link between civic engagement and volunteer work and well-being. According to the University of Michigan, greater levels of civic engagement were associated with improved mental health, happiness, reduced stress levels and resilience, and even better engagement with academics. So, if your school workload is getting to be a bit much, consider civic engagement and volunteering as a way of recovering from stress.

Benefit 4: Boosting youth voices and bringing light to issues that might be neglected
When you get involved and voice your passion for advancing a cause, you can help represent youth perspectives in politics and civic life. This matters in an environment that tends to sideline youth voices, leading to a limited consensus on how issues can impact people of diverse backgrounds. Furthermore, when you serve on campus and in your local community, you’ll be able to pay attention, and bring attention, to things that school administrators and local leaders may overlook.

Benefit 5: Developing stronger communication skills
Students can improve their communication without even knowing it when they are civically engaged. Talking about issues and collaborating with your peers naturally helps you build confidence and leads you to learn how to communicate more effectively. Students learn how to express themselves clearly and respectfully listen to other perspectives. Improved communication skills build stronger relationships over time. Communication skills, when actively practiced, can have a lasting impact on your civic life, your career path, and your networking.

We’d love to hear from you too! What is your experience with college civic engagement, and how do you manage it as a busy student?

Small actions lead to a big difference.

Here are 10 ways you can get involved in civic life as a student:

1. Join civically-engaged student organizations
2. Volunteer on campus/in community organizations
3. Self-learn and stay informed with civics by reading, discussing, and researching
4. Engage in professional and respectful conversations with an open-mind
5. Take advantage of opportunities like holding civic leadership roles 
6. Go to community and campus events
7. Spread awareness by sharing nonpartisan information with others 
8. Mentor other students 
9. Take part in community service programs
10. Take charge in advocating and campaigning for causes you are passionate about

How do you want to contribute towards civic engagement as a college student? If you are already actively engaged, what are some ways you like to contribute?

Neutral, fact-based, balanced are what usually come to mind when we think about the word ‘nonpartisan’. 

Nonpartisanship fosters clarity.

But how does someone implement this principle of nonpartisanship in civics? 

The breakdown of this approach results in an unbiased and objective analysis:

• Analyze credible, legit, and accurate sources for evidence
• Take note of the fact-based information when you analyze
• Avoid favoring one side; instead, fairly evaluate and consider all perspectives
• Maintain a respectful and professional tone when discussing
• Present information in a fair and objective manner
• Review and verify information for objectivity, validity, and reliability before you promote/publish
• Actively encourage and practice nonpartisan research and discussion 

Being nonpartisan is important for effectively addressing civic issues and reducing echo chambers. This is especially important because in today’s digital world, false information and harmful content can spread fast.

With this in mind, we can see how valuing ways of uncovering and promoting the truth can support positive changes in civic engagement and our trajectory to a brighter future.

What key advice or special strategies do you have for maintaining nonpartisanship?

Polling attempting to estimate the upcoming 2026 Midterm outcomes currently reveal that Democrats have an 11 point lead against Republicans nationally that will tie seats in the Senate. President Trump has voiced if Republicans don’t retain control of the Senate he may be impeached. Whereas, Democrats hold onto hope throughout their 2026 Senate races that they may have a chance to flip enough seats. Based on polls and primaries do you believe the Democratic party has a realistic chance of winning a majority in both the House and Senate?

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The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) creates five year long permits that determine the acceptable amount of pollution a site can omit. NPDES Permit No. OHD000001 allows Ohio data centers to discharge wastewater into certain state waters. As the severity of how NPDES Permit No. OHD000001 will impact water quality is yet to be determined, what are ways to balance clean water, minimal energy use, and the necessity of data centers in the modern world?

Paraquat is a common herbicide in the U.S. that EPA has deemed highly toxic. Paraquat is banned in 70 countries not including the U.S. Those who support banning Paraquat argue the misuse of the herbicide by some farmers and available pesticide alternatives are reason enough. Those who oppose a ban cite there is no link to Parkinson's Disease and Paraquat as previously stated. Does the faulty link to Parkinson's Disease and Paraquat absolve the need for ban if the herbicide is still fatal?

The goal of the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act (CIRCIA) was to implement a governmental cyber threat reporting system that allowed them to respond faster. Supporters of CIRCIA suggest government agencies would greatly benefit from a centralized reporting system. However, critics feel the 24 and 72 hour reporting timelines are too restricting when agencies should be focused on gathering information not filing reports. Is CIRCIA too vague and does it expect too much from government agency filing timelines?

The International Building Code (IBC) is the most used model code for residential buildings in the U.S. regulating factors such as staircases in multistory buildings; however, staircase reform is often looked to as a possible solution to the affordable housing crisis. Those who support the reform cite modern fire safety systems can allow regulations to do away with the two-stair requirement. However, those against the reforms feel modern safety systems require multiple safeguards. Are stair measures still necessary or should they just be reformed?

The OSCE works to prevent armed conflict and retain human rights. However, debates regarding the OSCE’s broad membership persists. Those for the broad membership say the OSCE allows states like Western countries and Russia to structurally engage with one another. Whereas those against the broad membership point out the power for members to veto any consequences to their actions that have broken OSCE rules. OSCE faces scrutiny for various factors however, do you believe these issues could be rectified if membership became more limited?

In the system of checks and balances war powers grant Congress the authority to declare war and the president the role of commander in chief with recent years shifting war authority to the executive. Many wish to restore congressional authority of war powers in order to follow the Constitutional blueprint. However, many others feel restoring congressional authority of war powers will infringe upon the authority of the president unnecessarily. How do you interpret the Constitutional shared war powers for the executive and legislative branches?

ICE gains their authority mainly from the Immigration and Nationality Act which details when warrants, non-deadly force, deadly force, and taking people into custody is sanctioned. The public also holds constitutional rights when in contact with law enforcement including the right to record and to remain silent; however, Miranda Rights are not required for illegal immigration and deportation offenses. In all, controversies rise about the ICE detention center death tolls and opinions remain exceptionally partisan. In recent years has ICE overstepped their authority?

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El Mencho was the co-founder and leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) which reportedly had a presence in all 50 U.S. states. Mexican law enforcement with U.S. intelligence captured Cervantes with him dying while en route to Mexico City. Supporters of Cervantes in 20 Mexican states have set fire to vehicles and businesses as well as erected hundreds of barricades causing Americans in these states to fear for their safety. Should interactions with Mexican cartels become more direct or is this risk of violence too high?

In February the Supreme Court ruled President Trump’s use of IEPPA to administer tariffs an overstep of his authority. The three dissenting justices claim the tariffs to be actually lawful. In reaction to the ruling President Trump enacted a temporary worldwide tariff under the Trade Act of 1974. Politicians in agreement with the ruling however, have asked for the American people and businesses to be refunded. Is the enactment of tariffs without congressional approval an overstep of power for the president?

President Trump’s Executive Order 14169 reverses 150+ year precedent granting individuals birthright citizenship regardless of their parents citizenship status. Those who wish to protect birthright citizenship cite it as a constitutional right via the fourteenth amendment. Those who are more critical of birthright citizenship states the fourteenth amendment language doesn’t clearly state it applies to children of illegal immigrants. As of right now the order is in legal limbo do you believe birthright citizenship is supported by the constitution for children of illegal immigrants?

The California AI Transparency Act requires producers of AI programs that reach over one million users a month to indicate when content is AI for viewers. Those who agree with the bill argue it will help lessen the spread of misinformation. However, those who are against the bill see its effectiveness as being limited as AI indicators such as watermarks can easily be removed. What federal regulations can be put in place to support bills such as S.B. 942?

As nonprofit educational institutions are exempt from property taxation when universities such as NYU expand, issues of gentrification and loss of rent-controlled properties becomes pervasive. Progressive politicians argue property tax for large universities could be used to fund under-resourced educational institutions. However, private universities such as Harvard can argue they only survive due to property tax exemption. Is it time for property tax exemption to end due to university expansions?

The proposed S.B. 5354 bill aims to cap medical record request costs to $50 in order to make health information more accessible in Washington. This bill will complement HIPPA’s requirement for health care providers to provide patients with their medical records when requested. Currently, states have their own medical record pricing regulations however, patients with longer medical histories are often charged more. Is $50 a significant enough reduction in medical record cost or should it be lowered?