MTSU’s Evins earns national leadership award for student voter registration efforts

Mary Evins, research professor at the University Honors College and Department of History at Middle Tennessee State University, is recipient of the 2023 Barbara Burch Award for Faculty Leadership in Civic Engagement from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. (MTSU photo by Robin E. Lee)

Mary Evins, research professor in the University Honors College and Department of History at Middle Tennessee State University, is recipient of the Barbara Burch Award for Faculty Leadership in Civic Engagement from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.

According to its website, AASCU is “the collective voice of 350 state colleges and universities united by a shared commitment to expand student access, success, and opportunity.”

Pictured here in May outside the Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors Building on the Middle Tennessee State University campus, Mary Evins, research professor at the University Honors College and Department, is recipient of the 2023 Barbara Burch Award for Faculty Leadership in Civic Engagement from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. (MTSU photo by Robin E. Lee)

The Barbara Burch Award is given for exemplary faculty leadership in advancing the civic learning and engagement of undergraduate students and the work of AASCU’s American Democracy Project on campus and/or nationally.

Evins, coordinator of MTSU’s American Democracy Project chapter, was recognized for her work in embedding ADP into the campus culture and within statewide voter education and engagement efforts. Earlier this year, MTSU was recognized for its second win as the top four-year public university in Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett’s College Voter Registration Competition.

“Her personal drive to serve the greater good and to create avenues of opportunity for students is admirably displayed through her efforts to build community education and engagement avenues in general education and in her work to refine tenure and promotion guidelines,” stated an AASCU news release.

“ADP program directors at universities all across the United States do the on-the-ground, active, nudging work in their respective institutions toward integrating and institutionalizing increased civic learning and civic engagement into all aspects of higher education, student learning, and student experience,” Evins said.

“At MTSU, this work takes place at every level of the university, carried on by faculty, administrators and staff in every single department and division. I am just one of many, all of whom are equally dedicated and mission driven. AASCU and the national American Democracy Project were gracious to recognize the efforts of MTSU in this award.”

University Provost Mark Byrnes was joined by Evins’ department chair Emily Baran and faculty members Laura Clark, Lara Daniel, Susan Myers-Shirk, Philip Phillips, and Kim Sadler in writing letters of support for Evins to AASCU.

In addition to Evins’ award, the AASCU also announced the winners of the William S. Plater, John Saltmarsh, Spirit of Democracy, and We the People awards during the 2023 Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts, on May 31.

“AASCU’s ADP campuses are doing truly extraordinary work to promote and reimagine civic engagement,” said Cathy Copeland, director of AASCU’s American Democracy Project. “Through these awards, ADP continues to support our campuses, share strategies and successes, and demonstrate the critical importance of civic education and civic skill-building in our students. We are thrilled to share the success and effort of these visionary leaders.”

Under the auspices of the Office of the University Provost, MTSU has participated in the national American Democracy Project initiative since its founding in 2003.

— Robin E. Lee (Robin.E.Lee@mtsu.edu) and Jimmy Hart (Jimmy.Hart@mtsu.edu)