Campus Connection

UWL recognized for nonpartisan student engagement efforts

UW-La Crosse has been recognized for its commitment to promoting civic engagement and voter participation among college students.

UWL is one of only seven Wisconsin colleges and universities to earn the Highly Established Action Plan Seal from the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, a national nonprofit that seeks to strengthen nonpartisan civic and democratic engagement across higher education. Approximately 230 campuses nationwide received the designation.

This latest distinction — UWL was also named a Voter Friendly Campus for 2025-26 — highlights the university’s continued efforts to increase student participation in the democratic process while fostering a highly engaged campus community.

"This recognition, for having a Highly Established Action Plan and for being a Voter Friendly Campus, emphasizes UWL's campus-wide commitment to civic engagement and voter participation for all students,” says Amanda Krafft, program coordinator for Community Engagement & Belonging at UWL. “Through intentional voter and civic engagement programs and outreach, UWL students are becoming lifelong, active citizens. This work would not be possible without our phenomenal campus partners and strong relationship with the La Crosse City Clerk."

UWL scored 28 out of a possible 32 points for its campuswide, nonpartisan action plan developed ahead of the 2026 election cycle.

Institutions were evaluated on the quality and completeness of their action plans to educate, register and mobilize student voters. Plans earned higher ratings for demonstrating campus collaboration, data-informed decision-making, robust voter registration and education efforts, transparent reporting, and continuous assessment and improvement.

UWL’s action plan and voting initiatives support students in various ways, including:

• Recognizing Eagle IDs as a valid form of voter ID
• Helping register on-campus voters through the UWL Votes student team
• And sharing important information with student voters through campuswide emails, the UWL Votes website and educational programming.

"This action plan is designed to set meaningful goals and develop a plan to reach every student with clear and relevant voter information,” says senior Katie Berns, one of UWL’s Campus Votes Project Fellows. “I am fortunate to have the opportunity to help every student's voice be heard in local, state and national elections."

In addition to increasing voter participation campuswide, UWL Votes provides valuable leadership and civic engagement opportunities for students like Berns and fellow Campus Votes Project Fellow Avery Manthe, a junior.

Ahead of a consequential election — in which local and state contests, including the gubernatorial race, fill the ballot — Manthe says it's particularly gratifying to be recognized for empowering student voters.

"My time with UWL Votes has been incredibly impactful on my college experience, and this achievement is a testament to the meaningful impact our work has had on students across campus,” Manthe says. “I'm excited to carry this momentum into the upcoming midterm election season and continue advocating for voter rights, civic engagement and voter education at UWL."