Bard student Sierra Ford ’26 has been featured in the latest Public Service Review, a publication run by the Stennis Center for Public Service, a federal agency which provides leadership training to young people interested in careers in public service. Ford’s article, “Bard College's Battle for the Ballot Box: A Story of an Institution's Pursuit for Democracy,” details the history of student voter participation at the College.

Jonathan Becker, vice president for Academic Affairs and director of the Center for Civic Engagement at Bard College, has recently published articles and received coverage in multiple media outlets about his new book, Youth Voting Rights: Civil Rights, the Twenty-Sixth Amendment, and the Fight for American Democracy on College Campuses. On November 18 at 5 pm, Upstate Films at the Starr Theater in Rhinebeck is hosting a special multi-media presentation of the book. Free tickets here. 

Students filled the campus center last Saturday for the annual Club and TLS Fair, enthusiastically engaging with one another to learn about ways to get involved on campus. Read on to hear from club head Jude Ferguson about his experience at the Club and TLS Fair and learn how you can get involved with campus community through the TLS and Student Activities Office.

Bard College has launched a new international education initiative—GHEA21—that builds on the successes of the former Open Society University Network (OSUN). GHEA21’s mission is to prepare students from diverse geographies and backgrounds to address global challenges as thoughtful and engaged citizens through rigorous liberal arts and sciences education.

Just a few days before graduation at Bard College, OSUN faculty and staff held a special ceremony honoring twenty students who received the Certificate in Civic Engagement and the Certificate in Public Policy and Economic Analysis. One of those students, Emily O'Rourke '25, writes about how the program has taught her about the many modes of civic engagement. 

This year Brothers@Bard celebrated ten years of creating space for young Black men and men of color to support one another as they navigate a majority white society.
 

Sierra Ford ‘26 and Ella Walko ’26 echoed Election@Bard's message to the class of 2025: Please make sure that you take ownership of your right to vote by registering in your new locations!

Nicole Meselsohn ‘26, an EMT at the Red Hook Fire Company and Founder of Women in Fire, talks about the challenges and triumphs of being a woman in a male-dominated field.

Jamora Aroyo-Jefferson ’28 and three other students from the Bard College chapter of the United Nations Association (UNA) attended the 2025 UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum held at UN headquarters in New York City. Aroyo-Jefferson ’28, Peter B. Szasz ’28, Felipe Chitic Luis ’28, and Wilson Hundley ’28 joined other youth advocates and leaders from countries around the globe during their two-day visit, where they engaged with government representatives, youth delegates, policymakers, and representatives from the public and private sectors.