By Raymond AlQaisi, Senior Manager of Policy and Advocacy, and Matthew Odom, Communications Manager
Reading time: Two minutes
Returning after three long years – and four virtual advocacy weeks later – the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) convened members and students on April 26-27 in Washington, DC for a two-day experience focused on advocacy skill-building sessions and discussions of key priorities with federal policymakers. During the day of advocacy training, students, practitioners, and advocates engaged in interactive exercises to prepare for meetings with members
of Congress. They met with their lawmakers to advocate for increasing college affordability.
On Hill Day itself, NCAN hosted a panel discussion featuring two professional staff of the House and Senate education committees, Viviann Anguiano and Mary Christina Riley, as well as Lindsey Tepe, an advisor with the Office of Postsecondary Education
at the US Department of Education (ED). The policy professionals offered the audience their experiences and insights on the federal policy process and potential opportunities for policy change in the 118th Congress.
NCAN members and students then spent Hill Day in meetings with their congressional offices to share their stories and advocate for priorities such as strengthening the purchasing power of the Pell Grant. NCAN also led a group of members in discussion
with officials from ED and the Office of Federal Student Aid on timely issues including the implementation of the Better FAFSA and other guidance that could impact the work of our membership.
You can see more of members’ and students’ experiences via their posts on Twitter using the hashtag #NCANHillDay. See below for highlights:
— National College Attainment Network (NCAN) (@NCANetwork) April 27, 2023
Good hearing from Jesse Hendrix, executive director of @collegeforward, on the importance of improving equity and access in the college admission process and increasing the size
of the Pell Grant. pic.twitter.com/cowfOI7w2P
More highlights from DC! Yesterday, College Forward now part of College Possible leadership met with Congressman @JoaquinCastrotx and @NCANetwork delegates at the @usedgov to continue conversations improving education equity and college access. pic.twitter.com/XAk2UH2O5J
Thrilled to participate in the @NCANetwork Hill Day in Washington, DC, April 26-27, where we met with Congressional representatives to advocate Double Pell, adequately funding Federal
Student Aid, and programs supporting college retention and success #NCANHillDaypic.twitter.com/XeUSwEFQCf
Get2College's Kierstan Dufour traveled to Washington, D.C. on April 26-27 for @NCANetwork Hill Day. She was with a team of college access professionals from across the country and met
with policy leaders to discuss policies that impact students. #NCANHillDaypic.twitter.com/yn4hdaTS4n
Email to a Friend