Democracy is more than voting—it is built through the everyday actions that strengthen our communities. Whether you volunteer, engage in dialogue, advocate for change, support education, mentor youth, prepare taxes, participate in community-engaged learning, contribute through philanthropy, or vote, every Spartan has a role to play. 
 
Throughout Civic Spartans Semester, students are invited to discover their Civic Profile and participate in experiences that demonstrate how community engagement is civic engagement. Together, these experiences help students understand that practicing everyday democracy happens through service, learning, leadership, philanthropy, dialogue, and voting.

 

Discover Your Civic Profile

The Civic Profile serves as the signature experience of Civic Spartans Semester. Students are encouraged to complete the Civic Profile assessment at our events to better understand their civic values, civic engagement, and civic knowledge while exploring opportunities to become more engaged citizens at Michigan State University and in their communities.

Once you complete the Civic Profile, you're invited to share your results through our Civic Spartans cohort. All data shared through this cohort is anonymous and will not be tied to you. Simply enter code 7576 when yous tart the profile to help us gauge the civic identity of our campus.

 

MSUvote - Make a Pledge to Vote!

Midterm elections are on November 3! MSUvote encourages every Spartan to participate in democracy by making a pledge to vote with ALL IN. When you make your pledge, ALL IN will send you nonpartisan voter information to help you make your plan. No matter where you live or are registered to vote, you can commit to helping your community as a Civic Spartan.

 

We Are This Land: Meditations on the Great American Experiment

We Are This Land: Meditations on the Great American Experiment invites visitors to reflect on the past, consider the present, and imagine the future of our communities and country. Presented at the MSU Broad Art Museum during the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the exhibition explores civics, history, family and kinship, map-making, and care for the environment through the work of a diverse group of artists. While you’re at the Broad, stop by MSUvote’s Let’s Talk Voting! to ask questions, get nonpartisan voting information, and make sure you have the resources you need to participate in the upcoming election.

 

Upcoming Fall 2026 Civic Spartans Events

Let's Talk Voting!

Wednesdays September 23 - November 4, 11AM-1PM | Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum

Drop by the Broad Art Museum for weekly office hours with MSUvote and take some time to make your voting plan over coffee and donuts. Get answers to your questions, connect with resources, and learn more about civic engagement. Before you head out, make your voice visible by screen printing a Your Voice, Your Vote tote bag and creating pocket-sized art to carry with you as a reminder that small actions can make a difference. Then walk through the museum’s newest exhibition We Are This Land: Meditations on the Great American Experiment which brings together artists who invite us to reflect on our history, consider our present, and imagine brighter futures. This program is presented in partnership with MSUvote, a non-partisan committee, and the Center for Community Engaged Learning.

By creating a recurring and consistent time to discuss questions and concerns about voting, MSUvote, CCEL, and the Broad Art Museum are helping students to both access information they need to engage in their civic duty of voting, and celebrate civic engagement with hands-on activities that offer a chance to reflect on how they can further engage as a Civic Spartan.

 

Spartan Leaders Civic Dinners

September 29, October 13, October 20, and November 10, 6-7:30PM | Multicultural Center, Room 210

Spartan Leaders Civic Dinners bring together students, faculty, staff, University leaders, and community partners for meaningful conversations focused on leadership, civic engagement, democracy, belonging, active listening, and creating positive change. Hosted in partnership with the Center for Community Engaged Learning and MSUvote, this series is designed to move students from voter education to civic leadership through dialogue, connection, community building, and reflection. These dinners provide students with opportunities to engage in meaningful dialogue around democracy, civic engagement, leadership, respectful disagreement, listening across differences, and community building through a series of small-group conversations hosted by university leaders, faculty, staff, and student leaders.

 

Past Civic Spartans Events

Fill the Bus

August 17-September 16, 2026 | Virtual 

Help the Center for Community Engaged Learning and MSU Alumni give local students and families an equal start to the new school year! Fundraising and donation drives are important strategies for creating social change, and by providing classroom essentials, you prepare the next generation of informed, skilled, and engaged community members. Donate online through CrowdPower, or bring new school supplies to the Student Services Building, Suite 101.

 

International Peace Day Celebration

September 17, 4PM | People's Park, Peace Pole

Join Religious, Spiritual, and Secular Identities and the Center for Community Engaged Learning to celebrate International Day of Peace! All on our campus and in our community are welcome for a dynamic experience with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and interfaith dialogue. This celebration will start with a speed-faithing discussion of what peace means to you followed by a march to the Alumni Chapel. At the Chapel, our conversation will continue with ways you can promote peace in your community. Through connection across worldviews, participants will respectfully discuss many ways that we can work toward a common goal.

 

MSU and United Way Volunteer Fair

September 19, 11AM-2PM | Student Services Building

United Way of South Central Michigan and the Center for Community Engaged Learning invite you to our annual Volunteer Fair! This is a great opportunity to connect with over 35 local non-profits and discover how volunteering can strengthen our communities and democracy. Earn volunteer hours by decorating paper bags in our service project with Kids Food Basket, an organization providing ready-to-eat meals daily to thousands of children across four West Michigan counties. This fair is open to all Spartans and community members!

 

Michigan Student Vote Summit

September 25, 10AM-4PM | Kellogg Center

Join the Students Learn Students Vote Coalition, the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, the MSU Center for Community Engaged Learning, and peers and partners from across the Great Lakes State for the 2026 Michigan Student Vote Training! Taking place on campus, this free day-long gathering will bring together nonpartisan student vote leaders from throughout Michigan to learn key strategies and new skills, network and collaborate with leaders from other institutions, and build partnerships that will help every student voter in Michigan make their voice heard in November’s elections. Don’t miss this chance to take part in hands-on trainings, hear expert speakers, and meet more passionate people who are dedicated to empowering Michigan’s student voters!

 

Fall Spartan Day of Service for 9/11 Day

October 3, 8AM-2PM | Meet at Business College Complex, Room N130

All MSU students are welcome to join our 2026 Fall Spartan Day of Service! Participants will receive a free breakfast, box lunch, t-shirt, and transportation to their volunteer sites. With partners like schools, neighborhood centers and public parks, you will see the services available to support our neighbors in meeting their basic needs and becoming active community members.

 

Democratic Engagement: Supporting Students as Engaged Citizens

October 6, 1:30-3PM | Virtual

Attention faculty, academic staff, and instructors interested in community engaged learning! This Special Topics session will highlight democratic engagement and methods for including this community-engaged learning strategy into your course experience at Michigan State University (MSU). The session will include immediate takeaways for implementation this semester, as well as tools for designing future coursework, designed specifically for MSU faculty and academic staff.

 

Behind the Ballot: How Michigan Elections Work

October 7, 4-5:30PM | Multicultural Center

Join MSUvote and Michiganders for Civic Resilience for a nonpartisan conversation about how elections work in Michigan — featuring Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum (D) and Kent County Clerk Lisa Posthumus Lyons (R). Hear directly from local election officials about what happens after you cast your ballot, how votes are counted and verified, the different ways you can vote, and where to turn for reliable election information. Whether you’re voting for the first time or simply want to better understand the process, this is an opportunity to ask questions and learn what happens behind the scenes of Michigan elections.

 

An Evening with Dr. Agustin Markarian: Even and Odd Cycle Elections

October 8, 5PM | Hannah Community Center, Executive Conference Room

Join the Michigan Scholars Strategy Network for an evening with Loyola University Chicago Assistant Professor of American Politics Agustin Markarian to discuss his research around even and odd cycle elections. This fall, East Lansing will vote to amend the City Charter to move all City elections to be held in even years. Come to learn more about how this might impact electorate involvement and representation.

 

Our Civic Spartans

Check back to learn more about how our student leaders practice everyday democracy!