Trinity Student Recognized as 2026 ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge Award Recipient

A Trinity College student leader has been named to the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge’s 2026 Student Voting Honor Roll, which recognizes 168 students from across the country for their contributions to creating a more civically engaged culture within their campus communities. From civic learning to voter participation, these students lead by example and empower their peers to become lifelong participants in democracy. ALL IN honored Juan Rayo ’27 for his leadership in Trinity’s ongoing nonpartisan campus civic engagement initiative, TrinVotes!  

In fall 2025, Rayo helped fellow Trinity students register to vote— either in Hartford or their hometowns, via absentee ballot—as part of National Voter Registration Day. “I believe voting is the most sacred right in our democracy, and that all other rights in the United States are derived from the right to vote,” Rayo said. “Every policy issue we care about—including the economy, education, healthcare, foreign relations, and the environment—is affected by the people chosen to represent us.”

Chenille Jake ’24, the Summit Fellow for Indigenous Community Initiatives and Civic Engagement at Trinity who leads TrinVotes! as an initiative of the President’s Office, said, “Juan has done outstanding work around voting initiatives, and Trinity was proud to nominate him for this honor.”

This spring, Rayo had the opportunities to join fellow ALL IN Student Voting Honor Roll honorees for a 2026 Student Voting Honor Roll Roundtable and an Election Administration Careers Virtual Panel with early career election administrators.

Jen Domagal-Goldman, executive director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, said, “From hosting registration drives to initiating conversations with classmates in the hallway, our 2026 Student Voting Honor Roll is filled with students who exemplify what it means to be a leader in civic engagement. As college students face increasing barriers to voting while on campus, these students are making nonpartisan voter participation a lifelong habit for themselves, their peers, and their campuses. We are thrilled to celebrate their accomplishments and excited to see their continued impact as we approach this year’s midterm elections.”

ALL IN supports more than 1,000 campuses and 10 million students nationally to make nonpartisan civic engagement an ongoing part of campus life. Members of the 2026 Student Voting Honor Roll were nominated by campus leaders for their dedication and excellence in voter education, registration, and turnout in 2025. The full list of 2026 Student Voting Honor Roll award winners can be viewed here.

About the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge:

The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) empowers colleges and universities to achieve excellence in nonpartisan student civic engagement. Through an intentionally designed program that provides structure, support, and recognition, ALL IN works to improve civic learning, voter participation, and ongoing engagement in our democracy at more than 1,000 campuses nationwide. ALL IN believes higher education should play a role in developing an active and informed citizenry by educating students, motivating them to engage in American democracy, and instilling the value of lifelong participation. ALL IN is an initiative of Civic Nation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Learn more here.

About Civic Nation:

Civic Nation is an impact hub for ideas, leaders, and initiatives that strengthen civic culture, power, and participation. Rooted in purpose and powered by people, Civic Nation brings together individuals, grassroots organizers, industry leaders, brands, and influencers to take on the biggest issues of our time. Civic Nation is home to five national initiatives: ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, Change Collective, It’s On Us, We The Action, and When We All Vote. Learn more here.