Championing Civic Engagement, Iona University Empowers Students to Be Active, Informed Voters Ahead of Election Day
Campuswide voter registration, student panels and speaker events took place throughout the fall semester leading up to the 2024 election
New Rochelle, N.Y. — In the lead up to Election Day on November 5, Iona University has underscored the importance of being active, informed and engaged citizens, hosting several civic engagement and voter registration events throughout the fall semester.
Aligned with Iona’s mission of service, justice and opportunity, these events ranged from world-renowned speakers and student panels to voter registration events with the League of Women Voters and so much more.
“At our core, an Iona education prepares students to think critically and act ethically in all they do – and that is especially paramount when it comes to understating the critical importance of their role in the democratic process,” said
Tricia Mulligan, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs at Iona. “Voting is a foundational part of their civic responsibility, and we encourage students to consider how they want to contribute to shaping the future. In other words, their voices matter.”
Iona’s focus on civic involvement was highlighted with a diverse range of initiatives across campus.
For instance, a Constitution Day celebration and voter registration event in September brought students together around the Murphy Green to discuss how constitutional principles shape both their daily lives and broader communities.
Meanwhile, through the Institute for Thomas Paine Studies, leading academics discussed the historical framework of the right to vote, and in addition, participated in a bi-annual conference entitled, “Teaching American and Digital Revolutions.” The conference addressed how past histories can be applied to the contemporary moment, particularly in the face of emerging, complex technologies from AI to virtual reality.
A few weeks later, Iona professor of political science Dr. Jeanne Zaino hosted an engaging discussion with the University of Oslo’s Dr. Gunn Enli. The event, entitled “Authenticity, AI and Candidate Appeal,” explored how artificial intelligence can be used to shape perceptions in political campaigns. The League of Women Voters was also present to help engage new or unregistered voters in Romita Auditorium.
“This year, almost half of the world’s population is going to vote, and one of the biggest concerns is the impact of AI on the democratic process,” Zaino said. “We have elections in places with the largest democracies in the world – India, the United States, France, the EU, the list goes on and on. As researchers, we don’t know the full impact of this new technology yet. And so, we are really lucky to have Dr. Enli with us, because she is a world-renowned expert on AI as it pertains to political campaigns, social media and authenticity.”
October also included an opportunity for students take part in a Voter Registration and Education Panel in the LaPenta School of Business.
There, students heard from their peers as well as faculty members and community leaders on the importance of every vote. Iona’s Student Government Association President Olivia Murillo kicked off the panel and provided introductions. Dr. Alison Munsch, Iona’s chief officer of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging and associate professor of business, moderated the discussion. The event, held in partnership with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, also featured voter registration tables to make sure students are heard come November 5.
As the month concluded, Iona’s Political Science Department also hosted a virtual panel, entitled “Decision 2024: Your Vote and What’s at Stake,” which explored critical issues such as the economy, democracy and immigration. Students participated in discussions that allowed them to connect their academic studies with real-world issues, emphasizing the value of informed voting during one of the most pivotal elections in recent memory.
“As a Catholic institution rooted in the legacy of Blessed Edmund Rice and the Christian Brothers, Iona seeks to inspire students both inside and outside of the classroom as they serve and uplift their communities,” Mulligan said. “I want to thank all of our dedicated faculty, staff, students and community partners for adding their expertise to this important election year.”
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of more than 50,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 5 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review recognized Iona’s on-campus MBA program as a “Best Business School for 2024.” Iona also offers a fully online MBA program for even greater flexibility. In July 2021, Iona announced the establishment of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, which is now principally located on Iona’s Bronxville campus in collaboration with one of the nation’s top hospitals. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.