About the Office of Civic Engagement
The Office of Civic Engagement (OCE) works with students, faculty, and staff at Cleveland State University to encourage citizenship and strong communities by building partnerships within CSU, with public, nonprofit community-based organizations, and governmental institutions. These partnerships enhance student learning by engaging students in civic, employment, experiential, leadership, and co-curricular involvement opportunities and experiences while contributing to the civic, academic, social, and economic well-being of Cleveland, its neighborhoods, and the Northeast Ohio region. The CSU Office of Civic Engagement (OCE) has a vast network of strategic civic and community partnerships. Each of our partners play a pivotal role in connecting and engaging CSU, our students, and the Greater Cleveland Community.
From one-time volunteer experiences for students to service-learning projects embedded in the curriculum to long-term collaborative partnerships that tackle the community's toughest challenges, the Office of Civic Engagement helps campus and community maximize the benefits of their interdependence.
Recent News
Cleveland VOTES - Hiring a Summer Intern
Cleveland VOTES, a young and rapidly growing organization, seeks an intern that is an entrepreneurial, resourceful, highly collaborative team player who possesses strong creative strategy skills and excels at managing a realistic balance among multiple priorities.
Responsibilities:
- Engage and spend time with the organization’s Senior Strategist to understand Cleveland VOTES’ vision, mission and strategic priorities.
- In collaboration with the Senior Strategist, the intern will learn and support implementation and planning tactics for our organization’s programming priorities as identified in our 2022-2026 Strategic Plan.
- Execute research asks and uncover insights to fuel the strategy process and support the crafting of strategic deliverables, both creative and analytical, in regards to the strategic plan.
- Partner with the Communications + Narrative Strategist to enhance digital marketing capabilities, create graphics and proofread writing.
- Provide support to the Civic Engagement Strategist through assisting in the planning and execution of programs designed to increase community awareness and providing administrative and analytic support.
How to Apply:
Please submit your cover letter detailing why you are the ideal candidate for this position, a resume and (3) professional references that may describe how your credentials align for this employment opportunity to jobs@clevotes.com by Friday, April 14, 2023.
Status + Internship Period:
Part-Time Intern, maximum 30 hours per week (Hybrid; we work remote on Monday/Friday and in the office Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday). The internship term is June 6 - August 4, 2023.
Compensation:
Cleveland VOTES is fiscally sponsored by the Greater Cleveland Neighborhood Centers Association (GCNCA). The intern will receive $15 per hour, plus cell phone and wellness reimbursements. Please note, this is a part-time temporary position.
Learn more about the position here
View Voter Information from the Office of Civic Engagement
Voter Registration
We would like to help increase voter registration and turnout, especially in the Latino community. Join us on Monday, March 20, 2023 from 11:00am - 12:30pm on the 2nd floor of the Student Center to register to vote and learn about upcoming elections. Learn more. »
Dream Team: The OCE & CSU Men’s Basketball
We Are Hiring for the Spring 2023 Semester
The Office of Civic Engagement (OCE) has several community service-learning job opportunities available for CSU students. The job opportunities are through OCE's America Reads and Viking Corps (Federal Work Study) programs, pay $15/hour, and are located around the Cleveland area.
- Email Anita Ruf-Young at a.rufyoung@csuohio.edu
- Fill out this Google form at https: bit.ly/3uGgX7q
On Wednesday, November 2, four CSU students were interviewed by WEWS - News Channel 5 about the importance of youth voting in the Midterm Elections. Cole Middleton, who also plays on the Men's Basketball Team, shared how his parents impressed upon him and his sister their responsibility to vote by mail in this election while away at school. Reem Abumeri is a daughter of two immigrants who emphasize that voting is a privilege that everyone worldwide does not have so to not take it for granted. Jackie Bomgardner warned that the youth voice becomes a minority when they don't vote. Lastly, Justin Samsa emphasized that lots of students seem to have strong opinions and need to vote to voice them. Not only are Cole, Reem, Jackie, and Justin civically engaged, but three of them are also connected to the community. Reem, Jackie, and Justin work as tutors in nearby schools and libraries through America Reads and Viking Corps also run by Anita Ruf-Young in the Office of Civic Engagement. The OCE is thrilled that WEWS - News Channel 5 Reporter, Dalaun Dillard, reached out to connect with CSU students to amplify their voices around the 2022 Midterm Election.
The Office of Civic Engagement Director, Anita Ruf-Young shared, "My office provides many ways for students to get involved civically from registering students to vote, to showing how to research candidates and ballot issues, to working for the Board of Elections on Election Day as poll workers and election night ballot box openers. I was pleased to learn from the Center for Information & Research of Civic Learning at Tufts University that the estimated participation rate for 18 - 29-year-old age group in the 2022 Midterms is 27%. That participation level makes this midterm the second-highest youth voter turnout in almost three decades." If students, faculty, or staff are interested in supporting this work, please email me at a.rufyoung@csuohio.edu.
Watch the WEWS - News Channel 5 interview: https://youtu.be/CxtCxXw0gzQ
Cleveland State University Recognized as a 2022 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting
Cleveland State University is one of 394 colleges and universities recognized for its efforts to increase nonpartisan democratic student engagement in the 2022 election.
Cleveland State University has been recognized by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) as a 2022 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting. The ALL IN Most Engaged Campuses for College Student Voting recognizes colleges and universities for making intentional efforts to increase student voter participation. Cleveland State University joins a group of 394 colleges and universities recognized by ALL IN for completing these four actions:
- Participate in the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge
- Shared 2020 NSLVE Reports with campus voting data with ALL IN
- Developed and submitted a 2022 democratic engagement action plan with ALL IN
- Have a current signatory to ALL IN’s Higher Education Presidents’ Commitment to Full Student Voter Participation.
CSU President Dr. Laura Bloomberg remarked, “Cleveland State University and our Office of Civic Engagement are committed to providing our students with the information they need to become registered voters and active citizens. We stress to our students the importance of their participation in the voting process. CSU is honored to receive this recognition from ALL IN and proud that our students are voicing their opinions with their votes."
“The Office of Civic Engagement is honored to again have our nonpartisan democratic student engagement efforts recognized by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. The OCE works all year long to ensure our campus community is registered to vote and informed on local, state, and national voting issues. Our engagement is successful because we go beyond one off interactions. We are embedding civic engagement into the DNA of CSU by institutionalizing it in campus events and in the curriculum that reaches the desks of every first year student. Our work is made possible through our civic and academic allies such as Northeast Ohio Voter Advocates, the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, Campus Vote Project, CSU’s First Year Experience program, the Michael Schwartz Library, our Athletics’ Department, and CSU President Dr. Laura Bloomberg,” said Anita Ruf-Young, Director, CSU’s Office of Civic Engagement. “Our annual submissions to receive these designations provides us opportunities to sharpen our Campus Democracy Action Plan to increase CSU student voter turnout. With 89% of our student body registered to vote, we look forward to receiving our Midterm 2022 Election data.”
For more information on the CSU Office of Civic Engagement, please visit our website, https://levin.csuohio.edu/oce/office-of-civic-engagement.
The Office of Civic Engagement Partners with the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections to Help Fill a Critical Need for Election Night Ballot Box Openers on Tuesday, November 8th.
The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections would like to hire 125 CSU students to work as Election Night Ballot Box Openers on election night for $20 per hour | 4 hours of work.
This is a great opportunity to see Democracy in Action! It is a behind the scenes look at the election process! It is a great way for students to be civically engaged, earn some extra money while building their resume, networking, and representing Cleveland State University.
Students will need a social security number to participate (for payroll purposes), be over 18, and cannot be a convicted felon.
- Sign up here: https://bit.ly/3U7vMLz.
- Learn more about this employment opportunity.
Two CSU Winning Teams Joined Forces on Wednesday, October 26th to Vote Early at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections!
CSU's Office of Civic Engagement and the Men's Basketball Team walked to the polls together to vote early last Wednesday. The event began with the OCE providing voting logistic information such as what types of valid IDs can be used to vote, how to find the issues on their ballot, and nonpartisan election resources that would help the young men feel more prepared as they entered the voting booth. For those that were not registered locally, the OCE provided detailed information on how to request their vote by mail applications and find their sample ballots as well.
Director Anita Ruf-Young explained, "It is difficult to put into words how much I loved seeing the guys on the team casting a ballot for the first time. They will never forget this event because they had the support of my office, their coaches, each other, and Magnus. What a cool way to start a lifelong habit of voting!"
The partnership the OCE has developed with the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections and the CSU's Men's Basketball Team is the definition of mutually beneficial! Assistant Coach Travis Lewis said, "Today was powerful. Thank you, Anita Ruf-Young and Connor (Director Basketball Operations) for making this event so special. A few of our players' lives are changed forever. You are awesome. The Men's Basketball program thanks you! Coach Robinson is grateful for your support and help with his vision to make our student athletes great leaders of the future."
Next up! The OCE will be heading to the sidelines of the Wolstein to cheer this basketball team on to victory!
OCE Director, Anita Ruf-Young is featured in this Northeast Ohio Boomer article
OCE Director, Anita Ruf-Young is featured in this Northeast Ohio Boomer article September/October 2022 about the relationsship between grandparents and grandchildren. Learn more. »
Gabi Pridemore, former Office of Civic Engagement America Reads Tutor, is featured a Vindicator article
Gabi Pridemore, former Office of Civic Engagement America Reads Tutor, is featured a Vindicator article about her experience working for the OCE. Learn more. »
Fall Semester 2022 OCE Voter Information Tables
The Office of Civic Engagement and League of Women Voters of Greater Cleveland Present Civic Engagement: A Dialogue - Knowledge + Action = Power
On Wednesday, October 5, 2022 the CSU Office of Civic Engagement and League of Women Voters of Greater Cleveland hosted A Dialogue - Knowledge + Action = Power. This nonpartisan event gave students and other attendees the opportunity to discuss issues that are important to them in a safe space and focuses on how they can take their passion for an issue and turn it into action with the guidance of our local government official facilitators. 45 students and facilitators attended the event and discussed topics including reproductive health, transportation, education, housing, and healthcare.
For more information about this event also see OCE, LWV Partner for Nonpartisan Democracy Engagement event.
The Office of Civic Engagement is Partnering with the Michael Schwartz Library to Promote Civic and Voter Engagement
The OCE has partnered with the Michael Schwartz Library heading into the Midterm Election to bring nonpartisan, reliable voting information to CSU students! Check out MSL's Democracy 101 Guide and Voting Research Guide as you prepare to exercise your most important right, casting your ballot this November.
Paid Civic Engagement Opportunity for CSU Students
The Cleveland Branch of the NAACP has partnered with the Office of Civic Engagement to recruit 10 CSU students to help execute 2 events. A stipend of $50 per event is offered. ($100 total). Learn more. »
National Voter Registration Day was an Amazing Day for the CSU Community!
Cleveland State University’s Office of Civic Engagement (OCE) held a successful National Voter Registration Day (NVRD) on Tuesday, September 20 in several campus locations—the Student Center on the second floor on the Inner Link; Ronald Berkman Hall Atrium on the first floor; and the outdoor plaza between the Student Center, Berkman Hall, and Michael Schwartz Library. 44 voters were registered and 14 vote-by-mail forms were collected. CSU’s commitment to voter registration was demonstrated by CSU President Dr. Laura Bloomberg and Magnus T. Viking who joined the OCE Director Anita Ruf-Young to encourage voter registration.
OCE collaborated on this event with partners at Northeast Ohio Voter Advocates, Campus Vote Project, Democracy Fellows, Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Cleveland NAACP, the Greater Cleveland League of Women Voters, Cleveland VOTES, and CSU’s Office of Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement.
Learn more. »
We Are Hiring!
The Office of Civic Engagement Will Host Several Voter Registration Tables for Fall Semester 2022
To that end, the partnership is yielding another great opportunity for students. CCBOE needs Election Night Ballot Box Openers on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 for Election Night Processing. The four-hour guaranteed-pay job earns $15.00 per hour per student; 125 slots are available.
Ways YOU Can Help the Citizens of Ukraine
More than 42,000 Ukrainians call Ohio home. More than 4,100 of them live in Parma, Ohio. If you are interested and able to help the citizens of Ukraine who are currently being impacted by the war, please check out the links in the PDF below. These organizations are assisting Ukrainians with food distribution, border reception and transportation, medical supplies, pet support, and the evacuation of children in this conflict area. There are Forty-four million citizens of Ukraine, to date, two million refugees have fled the country. One million of those refugees are children.