When six Molloy University students traveled to Albany last month, they weren’t just visiting the State Capitol, they were stepping right into the democratic process. As part of New York’s annual Higher Education Advocacy Day, our students met with legislators and their staff, discussed policy priorities, and experienced firsthand how civic engagement can shape the future of higher education.
Organized around the state’s annual budget process, Advocacy Day brings students from colleges across New York to Albany to share their perspectives on issues that directly affect their education. With the state budget due by April 1, the event provides an opportunity for lawmakers to hear from the very people impacted by their decisions.
Accompanied by Neal Lewis, Director of the University’s Office of Community and Government Affairs, the students spent the day participating in meetings and policy discussions focused on college affordability and access.
“Democracy is not just a spectator sport; sometimes it is important to show up and be heard,” said Lewis. “In addition to the impact of their advocacy, students gained hands-on experience with the legislative process and a deeper understanding of how public funding decisions are made.”
For many students, it was their first time engaging directly with elected officials, turning classroom concepts about government and public policy into lived experience.
During their meetings, the Molloy delegation advocated for three key issues affecting students across New York. They voiced support for full funding of Bundy Aid, a program that provides financial assistance to independent nonprofit colleges and helps keep tuition costs manageable. They also raised the importance of reinstating Graduate Tuition Assistance Program (Grad TAP) funding, which would help graduate students cover essential expenses such as books, transportation, and food. In addition, students discussed the proposal for the New York College Access Program (NY CAP), a potential state-based student loan initiative designed to provide an alternative to the evolving federal loan system.
Beyond the specific policy priorities, the experience offered students a deeper understanding of how laws and budgets are shaped and how public participation influences those outcomes. By engaging directly with legislators, students saw how advocacy, dialogue, and informed perspectives play a role in the policymaking process.
For the students who made the journey to Albany, Advocacy Day served as more than just a lesson in government; it was an opportunity to recognize their own role in shaping their future. By speaking with lawmakers and participating in the legislative process, students experienced firsthand how democracy works in practice.
