As the November elections approach, the Civic Engagement Team at the University of Puget Sound is shifting into high gear. Operating out of the Experiential Learning Office, this student-led group has a history of state and national recognition and is dedicated to ensuring that every eligible student has the resources to actively engage in their communities.
Puget Sound’s commitment to democracy is well-documented. The campus was awarded the 2022 Washington Campus Voting Challenge Gold Seal for achieving the highest voter registration rate among four-year institutions, a milestone recognized by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. Momentum has continued to build, fueled by student leaders like Iliana Barnes Diaz ’25, who received the Governor’s Student Civic Leadership Award and the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award for her pioneering voter registration and Get Out the Vote efforts. Today, that legacy rests in the hands of a dedicated student team navigating the unique complexities of modern elections.
Olivia Kent-Horton ’27, the university's voter registration specialist, spends her hours tackling everything from absentee ballot logistics to out-of-state voting resources. Many students are voting away from home for the first time and considering local issues, such as Pierce County's minimum wage increases. Kent-Horton emphasizes that voting while in college is an important tool for personal growth and self-advocacy.
“When you step away from your own world, and you go someplace new, it expands what becomes important to you, and it helps you find your value systems,” Kent-Horton said.
Transfer student Kent-Horton isn't new to this type of work. She was charged with spearheading voter registration efforts while attending Cascadia College. However, her current position comes with distinct institutional hurdles. Due to federal regulations, she now carries the sole responsibility in her team for managing voter registration communications, tabling, and state-by-state student outreach. She takes her role seriously, ensuring she understands the details of the election process and approaches each potential voter without bias.
“We may think everyone shares the same mindset because we are all at a liberal arts college in Washington State, but that's not true,” she said. “We have so many different political opinions and views, and so many ways to learn about other people's opinions and views. But I really believe that stepping outside of your bubble for voting is just something that everyone should do.”
Bridging the gap between voting and broader community action is a core pillar for the entire office. Grace Novack ’27, a civic engagement coordinator and pre-health ambassador, helps connect students with volunteer opportunities, study abroad opportunities, and community advocacy. Valeria Gutierrez ’27, civic engagement coordinator, also supports this work. Similarly, Civic Engagement Coordinator Toni Wyatt ’28 focuses on experiential learning and service trips, such as the Habitat for Humanity Collegiate Challenge.
“It is important for students to engage with their communities through voting, volunteer work, or protests because it empowers them to take ownership of their future, addresses immediate local needs, and ensures young adult perspectives actively shape the policies that govern their lives,” Novack said.
Wyatt notes that getting involved early on campus changed her entire trajectory, providing a network of mentors and friends while teaching invaluable civic lessons.
“Beyond what it did for me personally, engagement is how students learn that they can make a real difference, whether that’s building a home, casting a ballot, or speaking up for something they believe in,” Wyatt said. “Those experiences shape how we show up as neighbors and citizens long after graduation.”
While university leadership — including President Isiaah Crawford, who serves on the ALL IN President’s Council — continues to champion these democratic efforts from the top down, the student team hopes to see expanded institutional resources and permanent funding to protect student-run voting roles in the future.
For now, Kent-Horton is racing against the clock to organize voter registration drives, sending state-by-state email guides, and hosting watch parties. As November draws near, Puget Sound's student leaders are proving that a liberal arts education is about more than just classroom knowledge — it is about connecting that knowledge directly with action.
