Q&A: Faculty and Staff Promote Democracy and Encourage Civic Engagement
Election day is almost here, and members of the Michigan Ross community are doing their part to encourage others to vote. Here is how some of our faculty and staff are helping to promote democracy this election cycle.
Corey Seeman, librarian, Kresge Library Services
In what ways are you civically engaged in your community, and why do you believe that voter awareness and civic engagement are important?
In 2020, there were repeated calls for people to become poll workers across the state and across the country, so I signed up, and I have been doing it ever since. What I enjoy about working at the polls is that you are helping ensure that every voice has the opportunity to vote, which is so important. I have been there when people cast their first ballot in an election, and you can’t help but be happy when you see the smile on their faces.
If you’re interested in becoming a poll worker, signing up here is a great way to get started. While it may be too late to be a poll worker this year, signing up with the Michigan Secretary of State gets you in the system to be tapped in subsequent years. Before election day, you receive training from the county where you will be working. When you go through the training, you realize that every clerk takes this work seriously, and the results truly reflect the will of the voters. The clerks aspire to have a party balance among poll workers, so there are registered Democrats and Republicans at each of the precincts. Also, you do get paid an hourly rate that is set by the county or the local clerk.
I have never really been involved in politics, but I believe being a poll worker is a great way to be civically engaged, ensure that our election runs smoothly, and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate.
Greta Adornetto, director of student life and programs, Office of Undergraduate Programs
In what ways are you civically engaged in your community, and why do you believe that voter awareness and civic engagement are important?
This year, I have worked with the university’s Turn Up Turnout student organization to help support the voting efforts at Ross. The Turn Up Turnout team has been amazing by coordinating classroom visits for BBAs and training the MBAs to work at a table in the Davidson Winter Garden to get students to register to vote. I also oversee the undergraduate student-driven newsletter, which has been a space to share resources. I also helped with a video focused on making your voting plan.
Engaging in these activities is important because this is the first election for many of our students, and it can set the tone for how they view their future civic engagement. If they understand the impact of their vote now, I hope it encourages them to continue that in future elections, including local and primary elections.
Norm Bishara, associate professor of business law and ethics
In what ways are you civically engaged in your community, and why do you believe that voter awareness and civic engagement are important?
I teach BL 488: Business and Public Policy, the Carson Scholars Program course for undergrads where they learn on campus about the need for business leaders to understand government and regulation as a key business skill. Students get to travel to Washington in early May each year to meet with leaders on Capitol Hill, policy experts, lobbyists, advocates, and a range of alums to learn about issues at the intersection of business and public policy.
I have been excited to help out with encouraging our students to vote this November, including being part of a video created by undergraduate student leaders aimed at making sure everyone in our community has a plan to cast their vote. I think it is important to remind our students — whether the Carson Scholars in my Business and Public Policy course or others around U-M — that voting is at the core of our democratic system, that it is both a privilege and duty, and that casting a vote is the best way to give voice to your values.
