Suffolk Professor Recognized for Civic Engagement Efforts

Rachael Cobb receives ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge's Standout Faculty Award

Suffolk University Political Science & Legal Studies Professor Rachael Cobb is all in when it comes to democracy. Today, she was recognized for her tireless efforts by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) with its Standout Faculty Award. 

Cobb co-chairs Suffolk Votes, a campus-wide, nonpartisan initiative dedicated to increasing student voter registration and civic engagement. She established the University Pollworkers Project, a program designed to recruit college students to serve as poll workers, and she also co-hosts the podcast, “Election Connection” dedicated to demystifying the political process.

“I am honored to receive this award, as it acknowledges our collective nonpartisan efforts to educate and inform our campus community about the power and responsibility of voting,” said Cobb. 

“Our mission and passion lie in ensuring that every eligible student participates in the electoral process. By fostering political literacy and active citizenship, we aim to cultivate a generation of leaders who understand the power of their voice in shaping our collective future.”

ALL IN honored students, faculty and staff, presidents, athletic coaches, partner organizations and election officials for their exemplary leadership in advancing nonpartisan student civic engagement. 

In addition to Cobb, ALL IN named Suffolk Votes graduate fellow Zachary Rodrigues, BA ’24, an alumnus of the undergraduate law program and a current student in the master of science in law: life sciences program, to its Student Voting Honor Roll.  

Suffolk joined the ALL IN challenge in 2018, and President Marisa Kelly is one of more than 700 higher education leaders who have committed their campuses not only to full student voter participation, but also to building programs that keep students politically engaged before, during, and after elections. Suffolk’s 2024 Democracy Challenge Action Plan earned a top rating from ALL IN, and the University was named one of the 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campuses. 

Suffolk has a longstanding commitment to promoting civic engagement on campus. The University was recently named a Voter Friendly Campus by Fair Elections Center’s Campus Vote Project and NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. The initiative recognizes institutions that have planned and implemented practices that encourage their students to register and vote.

red and blue graphic surrounds a headshot of Rachael Cobb

Rachael Cobb: ALL IN for Democracy

Transcript I’m Rachael Cobb an Associate Professor of Political Science at Suffolk University in Boston, Massachusetts. I co-chair our university-wide committee Suffolk Votes, and I’m ALL IN for democracy.


I am honored to be recognized for this award, as it acknowledges our collective non-partisan efforts to educate and inform our campus community about the power and responsibility of voting. The voting process—covering everything from voter registration to understanding the issues, to locating polling places, and to casting ballots—can be complex and requires time to navigate.


At Suffolk Votes, we are committed to demystifying this process for our students. Our mission is to equip every eligible voter with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to actively participate in our democracy. We believe that an informed and engaged electorate is the cornerstone of a thriving democratic society.


Our mission and passion lie in ensuring that every eligible student participates in the electoral process. By fostering political literacy and active citizenship, we aim to cultivate a generation of leaders who understand the power of their voice in shaping our collective future.