Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest

The Dream is not Finished.

What does Dr. King's legacy mean for our generation, our campus and our community?

Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. challenged generations to imagine a more just society – and to take responsibility for creating it. Yet many of the challenges he confronted remain with us today.

As a college student preparing to shape the future, what part of Dr. King's unfinished dream do you believe your generation must take responsibility for, and hat would meaningful progress look like? Draw upon your experiences, observations, education or aspirations to explain how you would turn that responsibility into action.

If chosen, your essay will be presented orally in person at:

36th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration 
with Cuyahoga Community College on
Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2027, 8 a.m.
at Cuyahoga Community College

A committee will review essays and select two for presentation. Presenters will each receive a $500 Visa gift card and be featured at the celebration event.

To be considered, you must:

• Be a current CSU undergraduate or graduate student
• Submit a typed, double-spaced essay of 500-750 words in 12-point Times New Roman font that demonstrates what part of Dr. King's unfinished dream you believe your generation must take responsibility for, and what would meaningful progress looks like. Be sure to clearly convey how your vision connects with the moral leadership and legacy of social justice and human rights demonstrated by Dr. King.
• Submit your essay by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 16 to the Center for Campus Engagement at cce@csuohio.edu using "MLK Essay" as the subject line of your email.
• Submit a short, one paragraph bio and a color headshot photo along with your essay. (If selected to orally present, the bio and photo will be used in the printed program.)
• Be willing to publicly present your essay as a three- to five-minute speech at the breakfast celebration honoring Dr. King on Tuesday, Jan 17, 2027.

Questions?

Contact the Center for Campus Engagement at cce@csuohio.edu

Sponsored by Cleveland State University and Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®)