Harvard University's Institute of Politics: National Campaign

The McConnell Center is one of 25 member institutions participating in Harvard University’s Institute of Politics’ National Campaign for Political and Civic Engagement. This consortium works to promote voting and civic engagement on college campuses throughout the U.S.

Each fall, the National Campaign hosts a conference on Harvard’s campus, bringing student representatives to attend skills workshops, share the work they have done in the past year to promote civic engagement at their schools and brainstorm ways to encourage students all over the country to become more politically and civically engaged.

Two McConnell Scholars are selected, based on program performance, to become National Campaign Ambassadors each academic year. These students are selected because of their outstanding dedication to their communities and commitment to fostering a civically minded campus. Responsibilities for National Campaign Ambassadors include collaborating with other school Ambassadors on shared project or awareness campaigns, participating in the annual conference, contributing to the IOP blog and participating in consortium-wide virtual events.

Past McConnell Scholar National Campaign Ambassadors have included:

  • 2021-2022, Yelena Bagdasaryan, Mary Catherine Medley
  • 2020-2021, Abigail Cheek
  • 2019-2020, Molly Baldock & Ben Barberie
  • 2018-2019, Nicole Fielder & Jasper Noble (Fall 2018) and Austin Dillon & Celia Cusick (Spring 2019)
  • 2017-2018, Evan Clark & Erica Gaither
  • 2016-2017, Robert Gassman & Frank Bencomo, "Bridging the Divide: Ending Partisan Polarization in America"
  • 2015-2016, Anna Cecile Pepper & Ronica Hutchison
  • 2014-2015, Victoria Allen & Kevin Grout, "Bipartisan Advocacy: Finding Common Ground"
  • 2013-2014, Arsh Haque & Meghan Waters, “Change Agents: Tools for Effective Advocacy”
  • 2012-2013, Sean Southard & Danielle Robinette, “Mobilization 2012: Strategies and Skills for Encouraging your Campus to Vote”
  • 2011-2012, Cathrine Mountain, “Bridging the Public Service/Community Service Divide”
  • 2010-2011, Justin Brandt & Mary Rose Kennedy, “Emerging Leaders”