Cochise Newsroom

Cochise College once again was named a Voter Friendly Campus, one of only 272 campuses in 39 states and the District of Columbia by Fair Elections Center’s Campus Vote Project and NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. The designation recognizes institutions that have developed and implemented practices to encourage students to register and vote. Cochise College first earned the recognition in 2023 and has maintained it through continued civic engagement efforts. 

 

The mission of the 2025 Voter Friendly Campus designation is to bolster colleges and universities’ efforts to help students overcome barriers to participating in the political process – every year, not just during years featuring federal elections. Cochise College was evaluated based on a written action plan for how we planned to register, educate, and turn out student voters in 2024, how we facilitated voter engagement efforts on our campus, and a final analysis of our efforts.

 

At Cochise College civic engagement has been spearheaded by the Civic Engagement Committee, with support from college administration and Student Government Association across its campuses. The college’s year-round initiative encompasses a range of activities aimed at enhancing civic participation and awareness among students and the college community.

 

As part of our effort to be designated a Voter Friendly Campus, efforts have included voter registration awareness campaigns, ongoing accessible educational resources, and active involvement of civic influencers in programming. Additionally, Cochise College has instituted annual "Conversations in Civility" events, providing platforms for constructive dialogue, as well as the establishment of Civic Awards to recognize outstanding contributions to civic participation.

 

"Our goal is to empower students and college staff alike to actively participate in civic life and make informed decisions," said Andy Espinoza, co-chair of the Civic Engagement Committee at Cochise College. "Through these initiatives, we aim to cultivate civic engagement that extends beyond the college."

 

Cochise College continues to build on its efforts throughout the year to inform students of their civic duty and prepare them to be engaged participants in our democracy. The college is eager to continue refining its tactics, expanding efforts and engaging students through 2025.

 

The institutions designated Voter Friendly Campuses represent a wide range of two-year, four-year, public, private, rural, and urban campuses, collectively serving over four million students. Notably, the list of designated institutions includes 13 Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as well as 47 Community Colleges.

 

For more information about Cochise College’s civic engagement initiatives please visit www.cochise.edu/student-life/civic-engagement .