Thirteen Anne Arundel Community College students took part in the Maryland Association of Community Colleges’ (MACC) Student Advocacy Day in Annapolis on Feb. 13. This annual event brings students and staff from Maryland’s community colleges together with elected state officials to highlight the impact of legislative and budgetary decisions on students and to promote the colleges’ collective legislative goals.
Legislative guest speakers for Advocacy Day included Sens. Chris West, District 42; Justin D. Ready, District 5; and Del. Chris Tomlinson, District 5.
After the kickoff, students were able to speak with legislators representing their respective districts. Legislators listened to students of all backgrounds advocate for increased funding for community colleges, which is currently reflected in Gov. Wes Moore’s proposed budget. Students testified to the positive impact community college has had on their educational enrichment, their professional career prospects and the future of Maryland’s entire workforce.
“I was really nervous at first because I’ve never spoken to a senator before and this was my senator,” said TJ Majors, one student who attended Advocacy Day. “But I was so happy to meet Senator Shaneka Henson and have her get to know me and my story.”
AACC’S team met with a number of members of the Anne Arundel County Delegation, including: Del. Mary A. Lehman, District 21; Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk, District 21; Del. Dana Jones, District 30A; Del. LaToya Nkongolo, District 31; Del. Brian A. Chisholm, District 31; Del. Mike Rogers, District 32; Del. Sandy Bartlett, District 32; Del. Andrew Pruski, District 33A; Del. Stuart M. Schmidt Jr., District 33B; Del. Heather Bagnall, District 33C; Sen. Clarence K. Lam, M.D., District 12; Sen. Shaneka T. Henson, District 30; Sen. Bryan W. Simonaire, District 31; Sen. Pamela G. Beidle, District 32; and Sen. Dawn D. Gile, District 33.
The Maryland Association of Community Colleges is an advocate for the state’s 16 community colleges and the educational needs of the students they serve.