In last semester’s newsletters I explored what happens when people are excluded from governance and policy making. From low voter turnout in local elections, to gaps in systems at the state and federal level, we concluded that when all voices aren’t part of the conversation, systems miss insights that could make them work better for everyone. Conversations and volunteering opportunities with the Herbert Institute, Comunidades Unidas, and the ACLU proved that when everyone is included, trust grows, and benefits ripple outward to strengthen entire communities.
At the same time, witnessing the power of inclusion makes me wonder why these lessons don’t show up more consistently in everyday civic life. Institutions continue to feel distant or inaccessible, reinforcing the belief that our participation doesn’t matter. Combined with current political events and uncertainty, this distance can feel overwhelming and discouraging.
This semester, I want to approach these questions differently. Instead of focusing on what goes wrong when voices are absent, I want to ask what happens when voices are included. How are people advocating for systems that serve all of us? This month, I revisit October’s newsletter, “When We Don’t Vote, We All Lose: The Unseen Consequences of Civic Disengagement” through a new lens: “When We Participate, We Can All Benefit: Lessons from UVU Student Governance.”
This section summarizes the student’s data-gathering process and key findings from survey, interview, or other inquiry methods.
Student Government elections at UVU are right around the corner. Posters are appearing across campus, prompting students to attend events that draw attention to future student leadership. Everywhere you look, the message is clear: student voices matter. But if that’s true, why do only a handful of students participate when it’s time to vote?
Looking back at October’s newsletter, we saw this pattern play out at the local level. In Utah County’s 2021 municipal elections, only 33 percent of registered voters cast a ballot, and young people were especially underrepresented: just one in four registered college students voted. Through interviews and surveys, we concluded that the issue wasn’t about apathy but distance. Many students didn’t feel represented by the systems in place or didn’t feel “qualified” enough to engage. That same pattern appears to happen here at UVU.
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According to the Student Body Officer Final Election Results, only 8 percent of students cast a ballot in the 2025-2026 student government elections. To better understand what drives this low turnout, I decided to walk around campus and ask students: “Do you feel that UVUSA’s decisions impact your experience on campus? Why or why not?” |
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Some of the responses gathered where:
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This shows a gap between students’ experience of student government and what it’s designed to do. That matters because for many students this is one of the first times they get a front-row seat to ideas like representation and advocacy. When that process feels distant or confusing, it’s no wonder so many feel like their voice doesn’t belong. That’s why it’s worth asking: what is UVUSA really meant to do, and how does it work in practice?
This section summarizes readings and research related to a relevant topic within the student’s Pathway and connects them to larger patterns or themes.
What is UVUSA and what do they do?
At its core, the Utah Valley University Student Association (UVUSA) exists to connect students with the people and processes that govern the university. Through its branches and executive council, student leaders advocate for student needs and help shape the everyday experiences of campus life. Think of it as a bridge: UVUSA connects students to the systems that influence our education, making it possible for thousands of student voices to be heard.
Does student governance really matter?
Student government is often dismissed as just another campus club or résumé booster. But research shows it’s much more than that. Justin Patrick (2022) points out that student leadership is often mischaracterized as “leadership practice rather than leadership in practice,” which can make advocacy feel symbolic instead of real. His research argues that when structured effectively, student government has real potential for political action that extends even beyond campus. Morgan and Davis (2019) noted that politics (local, state, and national) are deeply embedded in higher education. By taking part in student government, students can learn to navigate policymaking, negotiate interests, and engage with institutional power in a setting that feels far more accessible than traditional government. These experiences give students insight and skills that translate to civic life and governance beyond college, showing that student leadership isn’t isolated; it’s part of a broader political ecosystem. A group of former student leaders and advisors recently emphasized: “The future of student governance is one that acknowledges politics. One does not exist without the other.” (Goodman, Arndt, Walker, & Carpenter, 2025)
This research proves that student governance does have real power, but that power only works if students understand it and step into it. Understanding the potential of UVUSA isn’t just about academics; it’s a reminder that taking part in student government is one of the first opportunities for students to experience governance at a less intimidating and more personal level.
Is UVUSA actually making a difference?
Definitely. In 2024–2025, UVUSA connected with 11,608 students across 62 events, logged 4,486 civic engagement hours, and placed representatives on 36 university committees. These aren’t just statistics; they’re proof that student voices are getting represented in rooms where decisions happen, shaping policies and programs that affect daily campus life. It’s leadership, advocacy, and civic engagement in action, at the heart of local politics.
This section highlights helpful tools or guides that support real-world application of the Pathway.
This month, take one step toward understanding student governance:
This TedTalk helped me guide my research for this newsletter, which is why I believe it’s the perfect way to start learning about the importance of participating in policy and governance at a university level.
Get familiar with candidates and the election process. Understanding the roles and responsibilities of student leaders is the first step toward meaningful participation.
This section reflects on a firsthand or immersive experience related to the Pathway topic.
This month, I want to spotlight the Policy & Governance Workshop I hosted on campus, in collaboration with the Herbert Institute and UVUSA. The goal was to help students see how policy, voting, and representation affect our daily lives and give them tools to act right away. We set up interactive stations where students could check if they’re registered to vote, figure out who represents them, track bills that relate to their interests, understand their rights on campus, among others.
UVUSA was a central part of the workshop, tabling to answer questions, provide information packets about the elections, and guiding students through understanding the different roles and responsibilities. The Civic Engagement Chair also participated in discussions about how to make governance more accessible and encourage more students to get involved.
It wasn’t about a person of power talking down to students, instead it was about peers advocating for each other’s voices, proving that student government is made up of people just like you and me, navigating the same campus and figuring out how to make it better together.
This section offers closing reflections and invites readers to consider how they can apply the insights in their own lives and communities.
Participating in UVUSA elections isn’t just about choosing who organizes events or leads committees; it’s a chance to see governance in action, in a setting that’s low-pressure but real. Engaging with the process, whether by casting a ballot, asking questions, or simply observing, offers firsthand insight into how representation works. The skills and confidence gained don’t stop at campus; they translate directly to local, state, and federal elections. For students who want to engage in democracy but aren’t sure where to begin, student governance can provide a tangible, meaningful first step.
