Student leaders from Pittsburg State University traveled to the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka on Feb. 4 to meet with lawmakers and discuss higher education funding and student support.
The visit was organized by the Student Government Association as part of Advocacy Day, an annual opportunity for college students across Kansas to speak directly with legislators about issues affecting higher education.
“The main goal is to create connections between Pittsburg State and local representatives,” Darrel McLeod said, student body vice president of the Student Government Association. McLeod is an Honors College student at PSU studying strategic communications and business with an emphasis in marketing.
McLeod said the purpose of the trip was to ensure legislators understand the role higher education funding plays in student access and affordability.
“It’s important because it directly affects them,” McLeod said. “That’s money that a lot of students need to even receive an education.”
Higher education funding can impact several areas across Kansas universities, including state appropriations that help support campus operations, academic programs and staffing. It can also influence tuition costs and the availability of financial aid, including scholarships and need-based assistance for students, which can affect the student’s successful experience in college.
According to SGA, 16 student government members participated in the advocacy day and met with 18 representatives during about four and a half hours of scheduled discussions.
McLeod said the meetings were meant to help lawmakers connect policy decisions to the students who experience the impact. “That we care,” McLeod said. “That there are real students who are affected by their choices.”
McLeod said the trip was not only about speaking on behalf of Pittsburg State, but also about representing public higher education across Kansas.
“The main goal is to create connections,” McLeod said, adding that student leaders want to maintain communication with legislators beyond one visit.
Higher education funding remains a statewide topic as policy changes continue to affect financial aid and institutional support. McLeod pointed to recent reductions in need-based aid as an example of decisions that can influence students’ ability to attend college.
“That’s money that a lot of students need,” he said.
McLeod also described a moment during the visit when Chuck Smith spoke with the group at the Capitol.
“He’s someone who has never forgotten his roots,” McLeod said. “He always makes time to support Pitt State.”
McLeod said student government leaders plan to continue participating in state-level conversations related to higher education.
SGA members also attend Kansas Board of Regents meetings each month and meet with university administrators to discuss the students’ priorities and needs.
McLeod said advocacy remains part of SGA’s role in representing students.
“That we care,” he said. “That there are real students who are affected.”
The Feb. 4 Advocacy Day visit was one of several ways student leaders are working to ensure student voices are included in discussions about the future of higher education in Kansas.