History

Past Initiatives

MTSU Students Driving Civic Engagement

At MTSU’s American Democracy Project (ADP), students work tirelessly to promote civic engagement and empower their peers to participate in democracy. Here’s a look at the initiatives that have made an impact over the years!

ADP in Action

MTSU in the News – We stay active in civic conversations! Watch our latest coverage. 

MTSU Wins! – #1 Public University in Tennessee for Voter Registration in a three-peat victory!

“Space” to Vote – Our Homecoming “Once in a Blue Moon” float raised awareness for an on-campus polling place. Students petitioned the Rutherford County Election Commission for a Space to Vote at MTSU!

2022 Party at the Polls!

MTSU again tops in Secretary of State voter registration competition

MTSU professors Dr. Amy Sayward and Dr. Mary Evins took their students to the polls to kick off the first day of early voting! 

MTSU Tennessee History students celebrated the beginning of early voting on the Square in Murfreesboro 10/19/2022.

MTSU Honors U.S. History students exercised their citizenship when they voted, most for the first time, on the first day of early voting in Tennessee 10/19/22.

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ADP Members Walk in MTSU’s Homecoming 2022 Parade

This year’s cart theme was “The 19th Amendment and Women’s Rights.”

SIDELINES ARTICLE: “Campus Ramps Up for Voter Registration Competition”

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MTSU celebrates National Voter Registration Week with campus events through Oct. 2

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Rock The Vote at Belmont University: Nashville Colleges Celebrate Democracy

MTSU campus keeps tradition of reading U.S. Constitution to celebrate democracy

‘Chimes of Freedom’ ring out as MTSU celebrates 100 years of women’s suffrage

MTSU hosts summit to spur student civic engagement and voting participation

MTSU is the leader in 2019 Tennessee College Voter Registration Competition through the Secretary of State’s Office.

The American Democracy Project’s goal is to produce graduates who understand and are committed to engaging in meaningful actions as citizens in a democracy. By working with students and faculty, the American Democracy Project seeks to nurture programs inside and outside the classroom that raise the levels of our campus community’s engagement with the local, national, and global communities around us. Read more: Tennessee Secretary of State presents MTSU with top voter registration award (2020).

Under the auspices of the Office of the University Provost, Middle Tennessee State University has participated in this national initiative since its founding in 2003. The American Democracy Project has grown into a multi-campus initiative that seeks to create an intellectual and experiential understanding of civic engagement for undergraduates enrolled at institutions that are members of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). Currently more than 250 campuses participate in the American Democracy Project.

Dr. Mary Evins (Research Professor, University Honors College, Associate Professsor, Department of History) coordinates the American Democracy Project. Find her at the Paul W. Martin Honors Building in HONR 221.

ADP Student Organization & Leadership

Want to get involved? Join the ADP Student Organization through myMT and connect with civic-minded peers!

• To work with ADP, email amerdem@mtsu.edu.
• To join the ADP student organization, visit the myMT page and click on Join Organization.
• Listen to Dr. Evins discussing the American Democracy Project on the WGNS Action Line radio program:

📍 ADP Office: Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors Building, Room 221

📧 Email: amerdem@mtsu.edu

🎙 Listen In! – Dr. Mary Evins discusses the American Democracy Project on WGNS Action Line Radio: 🎧 Hear the full Podcast