For Alayna Blanchard ’27, history and criminology major, civic engagement isn’t just a responsibility, it’s a way to create meaningful change and help others find their voice. Blanchard has been named to the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge’s 2026 Student Voting Honor Roll, a national recognition celebrating students who are making a measurable impact on voter engagement and democratic participation.
The honor reflects the work she has led through her role as the Civic Engagement and America Reads intern in Capital’s Student and Community Engagement office. But for Blanchard, the recognition is still sinking in.
“It feels a little surreal,” she said. “When I first got nominated, I didn’t think it was a big deal. But now it’s like, this is actually really cool. Only 168 students received this, and that’s not a lot when you think about campuses across the country.”
Blanchard’s passion for civic engagement is deeply rooted in her academic interests and her belief in the power of informed communities. She understands that for many students, especially first-time voters, the process can feel overwhelming.
“It was scary,” she said. “I didn’t know where to go or what I needed to bring. That’s what I really wanted to tackle, making sure students had clear, accessible information.”
Through social media and on-campus programming, Blanchard has worked to break down complex voting processes into manageable steps. From explaining absentee ballots and voter registration to outlining key election deadlines, her goal has been to remove barriers and build confidence among her peers.
Her efforts have led to tangible results. During the fall semester alone, Capital registered more than 80 students to vote and secured 85 pledges through the ALL IN initiative, earning third place out of 55 participating schools. But beyond the numbers, it’s the lasting impact that motivates her.
“One of my favorite things was creating ‘Comets Vote’ T-shirts and stickers,” she said. “I still see people wearing them around campus, and that makes me really happy.”
Blanchard’s approach to civic engagement goes beyond voter registration. She has also worked to highlight often-overlooked contributors to the democratic process. For Election Hero Day, she helped organize the creation of 150 care packages for poll workers across seven locations in Columbus, recognizing the long hours and essential role they play on Election Day.
“Not a lot of people acknowledge poll workers,” she said. “That was something I was really proud of, just showing appreciation.”
Her leadership extends across campus in multiple roles. Blanchard serves as president of the Campus Activities Board, vice president of Phi Beta (a professional arts fraternity), and vice president of operations for Delta Phi Epsilon. Across each position, a common thread emerges: a passion for bringing people together.
“I love event planning,” she said. “It’s something I discovered my first semester. I love having ideas and actually seeing them come to life and seeing other people enjoy them.”
That passion has shaped her college experience and future aspirations. While she is still exploring career paths, she hopes to combine her interests in event planning, community engagement, and service, possibly in nonprofit or civic-focused spaces.
“I like trying new things and being well-rounded,” she said. “That’s what drew me to civic engagement, it was something different, and it taught me so much.”
At its core, Blanchard’s work is driven by a simple but powerful belief: every voice matters.
“Civic engagement is so crucial,” she said. “Even just staying informed can change how you interact with others and your community. You can make a difference. Your voice matters more than you think.”
As Capital prepares to recognize her at the Leadership Awards, Blanchard remains focused on what comes next, continuing to support civic engagement efforts and encouraging others to get involved.
“I may not be in this role next year,” she said, “but I still want to show up, support events, and keep encouraging people to vote.”
For Blanchard, the work doesn’t end with recognition. It continues in every conversation, every event, and every student who is empowered to take part in the democratic process.