E23 Director Alyssa Antonian

We had the incredible opportunity to speak with Director Alyssa Antonian, the director of Penn Leads the Vote—a nationally recognized, student-run, nonpartisan initiative dedicated to increasing civic engagement and voter turnout at the University of Pennsylvania. In this episode, we explored topics ranging from how to meaningfully engage youth in democracy amidst rising voter apathy, to the importance of nonpartisanship in voter outreach and education, to practical mechanisms for navigating misinformation and disinformation. We also got to hear Director Antonian’s reflections on the dynamics of the U.S. election—especially from Pennsylvania, arguably the most contested swing state—and Vote16! And, of course, it wouldn’t be a proper Philly interview without talking cheesesteaks. Take a listen to Director Antonian’s go-to order, favorite spot, and expert tips on how to sound like a real Philadelphian at the counter! Check it out!