Citizenship in Action

Civic Action

Civic engagement and community collaborations have always been at the heart of the University of Missouri – St. Louis (UMSL).  As a land grant institution, it is built into our mission. We work alongside institutions locally and across the nation to advance the public purposes of higher education by supporting community-based teaching, learning, research, and practice to improve community life and educate students for civic and social responsibility. UMSL is recognized as a "Voter Friendly" campus by The Fair Elections Center’s Campus Vote Project and NASPA; and has received honors from the  ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge honored for excellence in nonpartisan student voter engagement and campus turnout in elections. 

UMSL Excellence in Civic Engagement Awards

The UMSL Excellence in Civic Engagement Award honors three individuals (one UMSL Student, one UMSL Staff member, and one UMSL Faculty member) who demonstrate sustained commitment to civic engagement, both on and off-campus. Model characteristics for the award MAY include, but not limited to:

  • Actively participates in the democratic process (e.g., votes in elections)
  • Participates or maintains membership in civic organizations or activities
  • Holds Leadership roles within such organizations
  • Actively encourages others to be engaged in civic opportunities such as advisory boards,
    local/regional government committees, etc.
  • Collaborates with others to create and implement new opportunities for civic
    engagement, both at UMSL and in the surrounding community
  • Engages in scholarly pursuit of civic engagement, such as analyzing election data for use
    in strategic planning.

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Previous Awardees

Faculty: Jamie Martin (Education)

Staff: Carla Jordan

Student: Maxi Glamour

Faculty: Aimee Dunlap (Biology)

Staff: Sadie Weiss

Student: Carson Howe

Faculty: Adriano Udani (Public Policy Administration)

Staff: n/a

Student: Grace Desjardins

Faculty: Laura Kuensting (Nursing)

Staff: n/a

Student: Sydney Young

Faculty: Vicki Sauter (Business Management Information Systems)

Staff: Harry Harris

Student: Deidra Thomas-Murray

Faculty: Anita Manion (Political Science)

Staff: Blaine Milligan

Student: Charlie Gentry, Lucy Grimshaw, and Jasmin Williams (3 awardees)

Faculty: Doug Swanson (Political Science)

Staff: Sandy Diamond

Student: Emma Young

Faculty: Courtney McDermott (Social Work)

Staff: Karen Pierre

Student: Alicia Hernandez