February 16, 2023
A group of 14 undergraduate students recently traveled to the New York State (NYS) Capitol in Albany, NY, as part of the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU) Student Aid Advocacy Day.
The annual event convenes New York State students, faculty, financial aid program administrators, legislators, and higher education policymakers to dialogue and show support for student aid funding and higher education. The alliance is a coalition of NYS private, not-for-profit, and public campuses and their students and stakeholder organizations who support funding vital student aid programs for college students in the state.
Brian Browne, Associate Vice President of University Communications and Public Affairs, regularly coordinates St. John’s participation in the program. “We had an excellent group of students who, in a quick visit to the NYS Capitol, got a crash course in the mechanics of advocacy and policymaking in the New York State Legislature.”
First-year student Ryan Curran is a native of Richmond Hill, Queens, with an interest in public policy. A Childhood Education major, he went on the trip to learn more about how to advocate positive changes.
“I want to learn more about how to affect public policy changes for others, especially those with disabilities and different needs impacted by lawmakers and their decisions,” he said.
After an early morning bus ride, the students navigated a crowded busy Capitol complex where varied other interest groups, activists, and advocates were also participating in their First Amendment right to petition the government. When the New York State Legislature is in session, Tuesdays are the designated day that advocacy groups from across the Empire State descend on the halls of government to meet with their state legislators.
The students from St. John’s met with local legislators and their staff to share the personal impact of student aid programs such as the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). They also discussed the value of investing in college students and providing increased funding for education opportunity programs like the Liberty Partnerships Program that works to address the elevated high school dropout rate among New York’s youth.
Making her first visit to the Capitol, Beaunka Hossain, a sophomore from Jamaica, Queens, studying Criminal Justice, actively participated in the discussions. “Many students like me at St. John’s and all over New York depend on TAP awards—and that student aid is not wasted. I work and go to school. If the TAP award is raised, it will not just help me, but benefit our society.”
As is the course of advocacy efforts, the St. John’s group had to adjust in real-time as previously scheduled meetings were held on the go as members—including several University alumni—met with the students off the floor of the New York State Senate and New York State Assembly chambers on their way to and from other legislative business.
Kaitlyn Gavin is a senior from Valley Stream, NY, and Government and Politics major who already has been involved in several local political campaigns. She described the Advocacy Day experience as “empowering,” especially when she met her local legislator, newly elected New York State Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick (9th SD) ’87CBA, ’94L.
“It was empowering to meet my state senator and to make that personal connection with her,” Kaitlyn said. “It is important to have women in positions of political power and making decisions for all of us.”
Later that afternoon, when the New York State Assembly gaveled in for their daily session, seated in the rear of the architectural and artistic masterpiece was the St. John’s delegation.
Assembly Member Nily Rozic represents St. John’s University and the 25th Assembly District in the New York State Assembly. Her district spans the northeast portions of Queens, including the communities of Flushing, Queensboro Hill, Hillcrest, Fresh Meadows, Oakland Gardens, Bayside, and Douglaston.
Rising at the start of the legislative session Assembly Member Rozic introduced the St. John’s students by saying, “I have the pleasure today of introducing undergraduate students from St. John’s University. Since 1870, St. John’s University has been part of the life and legacy of New York. The enduring mission of St. John’s has been to be an institution of higher education for immigrants and their children. It is my honor today to ask that we welcome these students from St. John’s University to the People’s House, and on behalf of the entire Queens delegation, I ask that you extend the cordialities of the Floor.”
Before returning to campus, the students took a guided group tour of the New York State Capitol. The building, built by hand of solid masonry over 32 years, is a marvel of late 19th-century architectural grandeur and is filled with historic chambers, staircases, paintings, and carvings.
Reflecting on the long, busy but productive day, Mr. Browne shared, “This small subset of the St. John’s student population made an outsized contribution to the statewide effort to increase student aid. St. John’s must be here and be involved.”