Elon's idea was to create “Junior Journalism,” a program in partnership with Alamance-Burlington School System in which Elon students and third-grade students come together to learn about local government and journalism.
On Nov. 13, Elon University received the second place prize during the second biennial Community Change Collegiate Challenge. The event brought together student teams from six colleges and universities to compete in a virtual, daylong, immersive experience in public problem solving on the topic of political polarization. North Carolina Campus Compact hosted the event.
Students were encouraged to engage in inquiry and investigation for the two weeks prior to the event to explore the issue in their context. On the morning of the event, Jason Husser, associate professor of political science and policy studies and the director of the Elon University Poll, provided an overview of the issue. Next, using the Living Room Conversations “Polarization Guide,” participants engaged in a dialogue on the topic to gain further understanding about the topic through discussions with their peers.
After a period of preparation and planning, each team presented their own proposal for addressing the issue before a distinguished panel of judges in a preliminary round. The judges selected two teams to compete in a final round of presentations.
The Elon team was comprised of Gillian Kick, a senior majoring in English literature and creative writing; Rachel Curtis, a second-year student majoring in international/global studies; Bo Dalrymple, a first-year student majoring in political science & international/global studies; and Hope Valenti, a first-year student majoring in journalism.
Their winning idea was to create “Junior Journalism,” a program in partnership with Alamance-Burlington School System in which Elon students and third-grade students come together to learn about local government and journalism, with the elementary school students then delivering local news through the Elon News Network. The team hopes the effort would bridge the gap between Elon students and Alamance County residents while promoting depolarization, especially with regard to media bias.
The team advisor is Kyle Anderson, associate director of the Kernodle Center for Civic Life. Elon will receive a $700 prize as seed money to implement their idea.
Queens University of Charlotte won first place. UNC Pembroke and Elizabeth City State University were runners-up.
The 2021 judges included:
- Graham Bullock, faculty director of the Deliberative Citizenship Initiative, Davidson College
- Ivan Canada, executive director of the National Conference for Community & Justice of the Triad
- Jennifer Copeland, executive director of the North Carolina Council of Churches
- Hunter Corn, director of Wildacres Leadership Initiative
- Hassan Ghiassi, founder of Aristotle’s Café and VP of Relationships at Voltage Control
- Pearce Godwin, founder & CEO of Listen First Project
- Kevin Marinelli, executive director of Program for Public Discourse at UNC-Chapel Hill
- David McLennan, professor of political science and director of the Meredith Poll at Meredith College
- Steve Warshaw, state coordinator for North Carolina, Braver Angels
Elon was a runner-up in the inaugural event in 2019.
North Carolina Campus Compact is a collaborative network of 37 colleges and universities committed to educating students for civic and social responsibility, partnering with communities for positive change, and strengthening democracy. Learn more at www.nccampuscompact.org.