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.

 

Fall 2026 Civic Spartans Events

Fill the Bus

August 17-September 16 | 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 Rock and 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.

For questions, please contact Ellie Anders Thompson at thom2869@msu.edu.

 

MSU and United Way Volunteer Fair

September 19, 11AM-2PM | Benefactors Plaza Lawn

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. Stay tuned for more details and registration for volunteer sites!

 

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.

 

Our Civic Spartans

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