Represent All: An analysis of representation & diversity
of student government in California.

Take the survey today!

SoCal CAN has long prioritized fostering student advocacy to advance equitable and student-centered policies. Despite pandemic related disruptions, SoCal CAN has hosted 3 student advocacy programs in the last 3 years to support students in becoming advocates and help them find their influence in the CA higher-ed policy landscape. It is important to understand current representation trends to make sure that underrepresented students are able to fully activate the power of student government to address their needs.

In partnership with Cities and People, we are launching a survey in Spring 2023 to analyze the composition, representation, and diversity of student government at public institutions in California. The data will be used to identify systemic barriers and elevate practices that are fostering a more diverse representation. The survey will be complemented by student interviews and focus groups to better understand the experiences of historically marginalized students in these positions. A report summarizing the findings will be completed in Summer 2023 and used to engage student government leaders, student affairs professionals, and other segment and institutional leaders. We hope to inform interested stakeholders on what we can do collectively to make student government more representative of California’s diverse student body.

OUR GOAL 

A study to better understand the composition, representation, and diversity of student government at public institutions in California and help underrepresented students fully activate the power of student government to address their needs.

Take the survey

In partnership with Cities and People, we are launching a survey in Spring 2023 to analyze the composition, representation, and diversity of student government at public institutions in California. The data will be used to identify systemic barriers and elevate practices that are fostering a more diverse representation.

Participate in a focus group or 1:1 interview

We are conducting student interviews and student focus groups to better understand the experiences of historically marginalized students in student government positions and how we can better support them to fully activate the power of student government.

Join an advisory board

A student advisory board and a student affairs professionals advisory board are being created to help with survey development, reporting, and dissemination of the research project. Students that participate in a student advisory board will be compensated for their time and effort via a scholarship. At this time we only have slots available for CSU students!