EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — El Paso Community College students had the chance to hear from a former NASA astronaut on Monday, as the school hosted Dr. Danny Olivas as part of a national effort to boost civic participation among young voters.
EPCC’s Student Government Association and Campus Leadership & Student Life hosted Olivas, an El Paso native and Burges High School alumnus, who is representing Astronauts For America as part of the “VOTE FOR FREEDOM” non-partisan national college tour.
Organizers describe VOTE FOR FREEDOM as a nationwide initiative to encourage young Americans to seek common ground and help heal the nation by being active participants in representative democracy.
On Monday, Olivas spoke to students, faculty, and staff at EPCC’s Valle Verde Campus in a moderated “fireside chat” about civic engagement, followed by a discussion with student leaders.
According to EPCC, more than 100 former astronauts are traveling the country to encourage students to vote and to show that their vote matters.
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