Marshall University President Brad Smith on Young Voters Today.

By Sarah Davis and Evan Green

Marshall University President Brad D. Smith wants to encourage young voters to make an educated decision on who they vote on and to stay friendly no matter the results of the 2024 Presidential Election. Managing Editor Sarah Davis and Executive Editor Evan Green from The Parthenon sat down with him to discuss young voters and the voter friendly campus at Marshall.

Q: “So my first question for you today is, how do you believe that colleges and universities can encourage students to become more engaged in the democratic process as we look at this election?”

A: “I believe colleges and universities are the cradle of democracy. This is where we have the opportunity to cultivate civic literacy, civil discourse, have true student engagement, have true bipartisan discussions where we discuss all the issues. And what’s really important is the generation always likes to talk to someone from their generation. So what’s the power of the peer? And that’s what’s happening on our college campus and what’s happening on campuses across the country.

Q: “And in your view? How could the outcome of this upcoming election impact higher education? Like Marshall?”

A: “You know, the outcome is to be determined, but it’s not. What happens to us is how we choose to react that really defines who we are. So I think regardless of the outcome of this election, it’s important for us to have understood what went into the process, seek to understand before we seek to be understood, and then really lean in and say, what can we do to take this, this position and move it forward?”

Q: “Marshall, as my understanding, is registered as the only voter friendly campus in the state of West Virginia. I was wondering if you knew any information about that could speak to what you know, we’re doing as a campus more generally to kind of promote that voter friendly, you know, name overall.”

A: “Marshall University is very proud to be a voter friendly campus, and the work and the credit for that work goes to the students. It goes to Montserrat Miller, Patricia Proctor, and so many people who cultivate this environment. We realize that our voice matters, our participation matters, and everyone is welcome to be a part of the process. I think it’s creating that environment, that zone of safety, that empowering culture that allows us to continue to earn that distinction of being a voter friendly campus.”

Q: “So are there any issues that, as a college administrator who’s kind of exposed to this younger generation pretty frequently, are there any issues or topics that you feel are particularly meaningful or appeal to them?”

A: “This generation is incredibly thoughtful. You are considering the real, meaningful decisions that will impact generations to come. Very futuristic, very forward leaning, and very inclusive. Whether it is climate change, it’s the importance of making sure everyone has a voice. Everyone has a vote. Everyone has a seat at the table. And I’ve often said that that’s the heart of democracy. Nelson Mandela once said that it falls upon a generation to be great. And this is your opportunity to be that great generation. And I hope this generation steps up and let your greatness blossom.”

Q: “Whether they be a student at Marshall or one of, you know, the national students that are going to be watching this program, are there any recommendations you would make to a student who wants to be more engaged, understand more of our political process? What can they do as a student to kind of get involved and learn more about, you know, what our democracy actually looks like?”

A: “Really focus on developing your civic literacy. Really focus on developing your civil discourse. It was once said of Martin Luther King that he learned to speak without being offensive. He learned a lesson without being defensive, and he left his adversary with the dignity at the end of a disagreement on Wednesday morning, or perhaps Thursday or Friday morning, depending upon how long it takes to count these votes, there going to be some that are going to be happy and some that are not. And what we all have to do at that point is lean in and seek to understand each other, because we are all the United States of America.”

This interview took place on Monday, Oct. 23. It has been edited for conciseness and for the purposes of Student News Live.