Colorado Mesa University

the big national polls," Gollob said. "The statewide ballot issues were the most interesting — our results were the first snapshot of support and opposition for those. They showed us where the public stands on issues." A few of these issues included medical aid in dying, healthcare and a proposed statewide minimum wage increase. "We live here. This is our community," Gollob added. "We could really dig deep down into what's going on in the election — beyond just 'are you for Trump or are you for Hillary?'" 9 WINTER 2017 • VOLUME 6.2 COLORADO MESA UNIVERSITY Political science major Cory Massey assisted with poll data collection and analysis, and traveled with Associate Professor Justin Gollob to Franklin and Marshall College in Pennsylvania. The SRC administered the poll in partnership with Franklin and Marshall College in Pennsylvania, with its well-regarded Center for Opinion Research. "When we conceived of this poll, we looked at our resources here on campus and realized we did have interest and expertise about Colorado politics and issues," said Gollob. "Where we weren't fully equipped was in technical resources, such as having a polling center set up. So, the university signed an agreement with Franklin and Marshall as a research partner for this first poll to start to build our capacity. This first project married our human resources to their technical resources." It also gave political science major Cory Massey a chance to travel to Pennsylvania to work on the poll. "This project gave a student the opportunity to get hands-on experience. It gave Dr. Gollob a chance to work on research in his field, and to take the results into his classroom in real time as the races were unfolding," said Derek Wagner, CMU's vice president for intergovernmental and community affairs. "This is a great example of how conducting polls can enhance what we're doing in and out of the classroom." Giving students practical hands-on experience is a priority for Gollob and his CMU colleagues. "Often in my courses, we talk about polls and I present data. But there's a difference between teaching students about baking by having them sample baked goods — and having them get their hands into the dough and understand the decisions that lead to the finished product, and to be able to contribute." Students in Gollob's spring political behavior class will likely have an opportunity to play a role in the SRC's next poll. "We are committed to doing another survey this spring to deep dive into voter sentiment across western Colorado on a suite of topics, that we're hoping, will provide some longitudinal data," added Wagner. Although the first two SRC polls take a political science perspective, professors and students from all of CMU's fields of study will have the opportunity to collaborate and be involved in this type of public opinion research as part of the SRC. "We see this as a great way to give students hands- on experience — whether they are studying business, social science, behavioral science or any other field," said Wagner. "The SRC is an interdisciplinary home where academics can come to collaborate to answer questions important in their field, while serving community partners," Gollob said. •

• Cover