Local State Legislator Tours Queens Campus, Visits Government Class

During a busy visit to St. John’s University’s Queens, NY, campus, a local member of the New York State Legislature recently witnessed the University’s present offerings and future plans.

NYS Assemblymember Nily Rozic (25^th AD) walked the sun-splashed campus grounds and stopped by the construction site of the future home of the St. Vincent Health Sciences Center. The center, currently in the early phases of construction, was awarded a $5 million New York State Higher Education Capital Matching Grant that will be used to help finance the construction of the new building—and future home of the University’s Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing program.

“Assemblymember Rozic is a familiar figure on our campus and in the community,” said Brian Browne, Associate Vice President of University Communications and Public Affairs, who hosted the legislator and updated her on legislative and local issues affecting the St. John’s community.

As a result of the decennial process of redrawing electoral boundary lines, the 25th Assembly District now includes the Queens campus of St. John’s. The redrawn Assembly District, while still under legal review, will be used for the upcoming 2022 legislative elections.

While on campus, Assemblymember Rozic also met with University President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., to discuss her background, legislative priorities, and local community concerns.

“With critical higher education issues and other matters being discussed in Albany, it is essential to maintain an ongoing dialogue with our local legislators,” said Fr. Shanley. “I was happy for the opportunity to get better acquainted with Assemblymember Rozic.”

After meeting with Fr. Shanley, Assemblymember Rozic served as a guest lecturer in an undergraduate Introduction to Public Administration course. During the class discussion, she recounted her path to public service and described how state legislation is passed and later implemented by government agencies.

According to Fathema Ahmed, a senior and English major from Woodside, NY, the visit from the public official showed the importance of local government and how the female legislator is willing to connect with people. “I learned that Assemblymember Rozic is a part of several key committees such as the Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection and the Task Force on Women’s Issues and has new legislation that she is working on that will have a positive impact,” she shared. “It’s nice to know who St. John’s will be represented by after redistricting.”

Born in Jerusalem and raised in Queens, Assemblymember Rozic was first elected in 2012 when she became the youngest woman in the state legislature and the first woman ever to represent the 25th District. Since then, she has been reelected every two years and is currently the Chair of the Assembly’s Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection and serves on the Assembly’s Ways & Means; Labor; Correction; and Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions Committees. Her district office is located a few blocks from the Queens campus, and she regularly provides student internship opportunities to St. John’s students.