Students Participate in Advocacy Day at State Capitol

Students and staff represented The University of Scranton at the state Capitol in Harrisburg for this year’s Association of Independent Universities and Colleges of Pennsylvania (AICUP) Advocacy Day on Tuesday, April 14.

The University sends students annually to the state Capitol for AICUP Student Aid Advocacy Day to stress the importance of state financial aid for students pursuing higher education in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and support for independent colleges and universities such as The University of Scranton, with its Catholic and Jesuit mission.

AICUP Advocacy Day is an opportunity for students to meet with legislators and share their impactful stories, including their reasons for choosing The University of Scranton. Through this experience, students exercised their advocacy skills and highlighted the importance of higher education funding.

Students and staff in attendance this year were Cassidy Lowman ‘27, Philip Huffman ‘27, and Daysi Carreto ‘14, assistant director for community and civic engagement.

The students met with Pennsylvania State Senators Marty Flynn and Rosemary Brown’s legislative staff and with state Representatives Bridget M. Kosierowski, Kyle Donahue and Kyle Mullins.

Lowman ‘27 commented on the visit to Harrisburg.

“I had such an incredible time participating in AICUP's Advocacy Day. It was initially nerve-racking to meet and speak with the state legislators, but they were very engaged in what we were saying and receptive to the message we were trying to share," Lowman said. "I really value my education and all that it has done for me, and it was an honor to spend the day in Harrisburg advocating for more funding for higher education. This event has inspired me to continue speaking out about things that are important to me.”