PVCC Hosts Virginia Democracy Summit

PVCC is continuing to encourage student involvement in government and politics by partnering with the Campus Vote Project to bring the 2020 Virginia Democracy Summit to the campus’s Main Building on Feb. 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Students from all over Virginia will be participating in the event. Last year, the summit was hosted at James Madison University with over 70 students in attendance.

Connie Jorgensen, assistant professor of political science, said that PVCC is “lucky to host it” this year. Jorgensen expressed how important this summit is going to be especially with the primaries coming up on March 3. This summit is meant to facilitate “young people’s participation” and gives students the “tools to get involved and network with students around the state,” said Jorgensen. 

The intended focus of this summit is students between the ages of 18 to 24 as they historically have a “turn out far lower” than other age groups, said Jorgensen. However, she followed up by saying that the 18 to 24 age group has gone up in recent years and has “picked up in ways we haven’t seen in a long time.” Despite the focus on this younger demographic, students of all age groups are welcome to register and attend.

The 2020 summit will start with breakfast and sign-in at 8 a.m.. Opening remarks from PVCC’s President Frank Friedman and Professor Jorgensen will follow at 9 a.m.. Then Using NSLVE Data at 9:15 a.m. followed by the Census Panel at 9:45 a.m.. At which time, the group will be split up and attendees will have to choose a panel to attend during each time slot.

10:45 a.m.

Building Inclusive and Equitable Coalitions

Digital Organizing on Campus

Creating a Climate for Political Learning

11:45 a.m.

Best Organizing Practices: A Student Perspective Panel

Voter Registration on Campus 

International Perspectives

12:30 p.m.

Lunch

1:30 p.m.

Access the Vote: Secure a Polling Place on Your Campus

Beyond Voting: Other Ways Students Can Get Engaged

Action Planning

2:15 p.m.

Day on Democracy: Creating an Election Day Culture on Campus

Ask Every Student/Error-Free Voter Registration

Finishing up the day at 3 p.m., there will be a panel called Votes and Ballot and at 4 p.m. there will be Votes and Ballot Lightning Presentations.

The event concludes at 4:30 p.m. with a Hot Chocolate and Coffee Networking Social.

The 2020 Virginia Democracy Summit is going to be a great opportunity for PVCC students to engage in panels that interest them.

The number of participants is limited, and students must register before the event if they wish to attend. So be sure to sign up as soon as possible to secure your spot at this year’s summit. 

To register please visit campusvoteproject.wixsite.com/vastudentsummit