HPU poll: breaks ground with national survey, media coverage.

• Position: Extraordinary EDUCATION - High Point University

In the midst of a heated presidential election, the students working behind the scenes of the HPU Poll captured public opinion like never before in 2012.

North Carolina was seen as a highly contested battleground state, resulting in national media outlets and campaigns channeling large amounts of attention and money into the area. Other states remained toss-ups until election night, making this election competitive and close--creating an amazing opportunity for students who work in the Survey Research Center, home to the HPU Poll.

Now in its fourth year, the HPU Poll has many student interviewers accustomed to calling North Carolinians to document their opinions on the economy, health care, Congressional approval and more. But for the first time they called a national audience and recorded the thoughts and opinions of people from all 50 states. The poll continued to conduct in-state surveys as well. In total, it completed seven surveys in the fall of 2012--the largest amount completed in any one semester. Students conducted 1,800 interviews over a span of 2,600 hours of dialing.

"The 2012 presidential election brought an unprecedented intensity to the efforts of the political parties and candidates here in North Carolina," says Dr. Sadie Leder, associate director of the HPU Poll and assistant professor of psychology. "The HPU Poll has always focused its efforts on creating civic engagement opportunities for students, and I can't imagine a better year to be involved."

Students not only experienced the energy of a presidential race, but they gained skills they'll use in future careers.

"It was very exciting to work at the Survey Research Center during a national election period," says senior Gemarie Gagnon. "I began working for the SRC as an interviewer, and over the years I have been given the opportunity to gain experience in many areas of survey...