NEC College Convention 2012

The Center for Civic Engagement at New England College held College Convention 2012 January 3 through 6 at the Grappone Center in Concord, New Hampshire.

Scheduled immediately before New Hampshire’s First In The Nation Primary, College Convention provides a venue for students around the country to interact with presidential candidates, surrogates, issue advocates, and the media, in a convention-like setting. Programming for College Convention 2012 included presentations by presidential candidates, issue forums, workshops, and panel discussions with those most closely involved in New Hampshire’s presidential primary.

Click here to view images from the event.

STRAW POLL RESULTS:

According to Dr. Wayne F. Lesperance, Jr., Director of the Center for Civic Engagement, College Convention traces its roots to the 2000 presidential primary with New England College taking the key leadership role in programming for 2004, 2008, and 2012. “College Convention is a unique opportunity for students to participate in the laboratory of democracy that is the New Hampshire primary,” said Lesperance. “Students from a variety of academic disciplines have attended College Convention in the past because of the broad range of topics, issues, and perspectives that are represented in the programming.”

“College Convention is an excellent example of the kind of educational experience that we offer our students,” states Dr. Michele Perkins, President of New England College. “Civic engagement is a cornerstone of each of our academic programs. Through direct involvement in a program like College Convention, we encourage students to become active and responsible citizens.”

Lesperance noted that all current presidential candidates were invited to College Convention 2012. “As candidates indicated commitment to participating in College Convention, we shared that information both on our website at www.collegeconvention.nec.edu, and through social media channels,” he said. “For this year’s College Convention, social media played a much more significant role than ever before. Our Facebook page has been active for quite some time and we maximized the power of social media throughout the event.”

In addition to Lesperance, New England College faculty members Dr. James Walsh, Professor of History, Dr. Ben Tafoya, Lecturer in Political Science, and Dr. Philip Huckins, Professor of Education, were the College’s key organizers for College Convention 2012.

For more information on College Convention, visit www.nec.edu/college-convention or contact Dr. Wayne F. Lesperance, Jr., Professor of Political Science, at 603-428-2295. Dr. Lesperance is a frequent contributor to the dialog on public policy, the political process, and emerging trends in politics.
__________________________

Advisory Board for College Convention 2012

Click here for full release.