Miami University students explore government

They ventured to Columbus and the nation's capital over spring break

By Miami University

April 27^th, 2022

Students advocate for higher education

Miami's Office of ASPIRE hosted a two-part advocacy and leadership conference over spring break as students traveled to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. and the Statehouse in Columbus. The group of 30 undergraduate students included Government Relations Network members and others with an interest in advocacy and government relations, said Molly Monson, a junior majoring in professional writing who participated.

Miami University students explore government

Networking opportunities with alumni

The conference exposed students to the legislative process in the nation's capital and Columbus, while allowing the students an opportunity to share their personal Miami experiences and to advocate on behalf of higher education with legislators, university stakeholders, and alumni.

State Rep. Laura Lanese (R-Grove City) talks to Collin Finn and Allie Boyd after the House Higher Education and Career Readiness Committee.

Kelsey Norris, Grant Balzer, Vada Stephens, and Jakin Wu walk back from a meeting in the Statehouse.

The Miami participants gather for a picture at the Statehouse.

Bottom row: Randi Malcolm Thomas, vice president of ASPIRE; Nicole Hoyer, assistant director of Government Relations; Matthew Houk '20, Legislative Service Commission Fellow; Jerome Conley, Dean and University Librarian.

First row (L to R): Kelsey Norris, Marisol Hernandez, Sophia Myers, Kit Wolke, Evelyn Morrison, Allie Boyd. Second row (L to R): Vada Stephens, Darek Sanabria Valderrama, Ruku Pal, Nico Hollander, Molly Monson, Jared Perkins.

Third row (L to R): Val Hernandez Godinez, Jakin Wu, Troy Parks, Spencer Mandzak, Taylor Armstrong. Fourth row (L to R): Grant Balzer, Austin Tyree, Jonathan Harris, Alex Sargent, Xavier Henry. Top row (L to R): Emmanuel Adams, Matthew Gant, Samuel Lawrence, Jack Bernacki, Tanner Barnhart, Collin Finn, Ethan Stack