AAUW, the American University Women & Politics Institute, and Running Start are pleased to announce the 10 Campaign College sites for the 2010 academic year. These sites were chosen from a competitive applicant pool to host the only training in the country that encourages young women to run for student government positions.
The training addresses the disparity between the high percentages of women in colleges and universities and the low representation of women in student government. Last year, building on the success of the original program at American University, there were two Campaign College pilot programs held at Iowa State University and at the University of Louisiana, Lafayette.
The schools that applied for this year’s round of trainings spoke passionately about the need to have this program on their campuses. We heard from schools where “very few students actually run for office” and where there are “few women in [state] elected positions for [students] to look up to.” Applicants wanted to “usher in a new generation of politics” and “change the climate that women enter into when elected to student government.” They “want to open the doors for young women who aspire to become leaders” and “develop concrete skills for leadership success and professional confidence.”
The campus locations for 2010 are
Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho
Loyola University, New Orleans, Louisiana
Mt. San Jacinto College, Menifee Valley Campus, Menifee, California
Northern Michigan University , Marquette, Michigan
University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut
University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, Massachusetts
University of North Carolina, Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina
University of Texas, Arlington, Arlington, Texas
University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica
Winthrop University, Rock Hill, South Carolina
Students who participate in Campaign College
- Gain concrete leadership skills to help them run for and win student government positions on their campus
- Learn about specific strategies to help shape a campaign
- Hear from experts in their communities who discuss various aspects of women’s political leadership
- Learn best practices for campaigning on their campus
- Have the opportunity to connect with other women who share similar interests and can provide mentoring and support
Once students complete the training, they can build on that support and continue to discuss their experiences in regards to student government through the Campaign College Online Network. Plus, they can attend the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders to share their Campaign College experiences with other students.
We are looking forward to an exciting year ahead as we extend resources to college women and empower them to run for and win student government positions on their campuses! The trainings will be held in February, March, and April, so stay tuned for blogs about these events.
