RU Ready
A civic engagement initiative, the mission of RU Ready is to provide students with the motivation and the civic, political, and expressive tools they need to address public problems in their community.
Learn MoreAbout CYPP
The Center for Youth Political Participation celebrates and supports political learning and engagement among young people through research, public service and education, driven by the potential impact of “Generation Z” on American democracy.
Comprised of three programs; RU Ready, RU Voting and the Young Elected Leaders Project, our work encourages young adults to see themselves as part of the political process at all stages of life.
Our Mission
The Eagleton Institute of Politics’ Center for Youth Political Participation at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, advances the political learning of young people and equips them to be active citizens and leaders. For young people to assume their place in the political process, the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of political participation must be taught. Through education, research, and public service, the Center for Youth Political Participation plays a lead role locally and nationally in fostering and promoting the active citizenship and leadership of future generations.
As adopted in August of 2020, our Center acknowledges and upholds the core values of the Eagleton Institute of Politics.
See our statement, In Solidarity with Black Lives Matter
Civil Discourse Expectations
Classes, programs and other events convened by the Eagleton Institute of Politics are premised on the belief that, in order for our democracy to work, we need to be able to talk to each other. Students and other program participants are expected to engage in open and civil discourse, recognizing that meaningful exchange of ideas from different perspectives requires reasoned deliberation based on shared facts and conducted with respect and curiosity, and with affirmation of the humanity of all people irrespective of their historic marginalization, identity or socioeconomic status. In addition, like all Rutgers students, students at Eagleton are expected to comply with the Rutgers University Code of Conduct.
Students exhibiting behavior in class or online that conflicts with the Civil Discourse Expectations of the Eagleton Institute of Politics or with relevant sections of the University Student Code of Conduct may be removed from a class, given a failing grade for the course and/or terminated from an Eagleton certificate program including Graduate Fellowships, Undergraduate Associates, NEW Leadership, Darien Civic Engagement and Center for Youth Political Participation Internships.
Our Team
Our work is driven by a team of faculty, staff and Rutgers students. Working as interns, participating in the Darien Civic Engagement Project and assisting as volunteers, students are at the heart of our team. Meet them here.
Our Sponsors
Thank you to our generous sponsors:
The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation
New Jersey Manufactures Insurance and NJM Bank
Magyar Bank Charitable Foundation
KPMG Foundation on behalf of Salim Allibhai
Maury Lieberman and Leslie Scallet
Nevin Kessler and Mark Skesavage
New Jersey Education Association
New Brunswick Public Schools
Office of the President, Rutgers University
Office of the Chancellor-New Brunswick, Rutgers University
Office of Student Affairs, Rutgers University
Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs, Rutgers University
Amy S. Ayoub
Edith Neimark, Ph.D.
Steven and Susan Darien
The Darien Fund for the U.S. Constitution, Citizenship, and Civic Engagement
The League of Women Voters of New Jersey
For information about how to contribute to the Center for Youth Political Participation, contact Sue Nemeth at (848) 932-8593 (work), (609) 647-7961 (cell) or gsnemeth@eagleton.rutgers.edu.