Civic Engagement is one of Illinois State University’s core values. There are many things students can do to get civically engaged, and one way that students can work on their civic engagement is through political engagement.
Just recently, the Student Government Association (SGA) hosted a virtual lobbying day where students had the opportunity to meet with government officials and lobby for issues concerning higher education funding.
“Student Government Association, in partnership with Alumni Engagement, Governmental Relations, and the Center for Civic Engagement, met with a number of state senators and representatives to discuss pressing issues impacting students for their 2022 Lobby Day,” said Joshua Crockett, graduate assistant responsible for civic education and political engagement at the Center for Civic Engagement (CCE).
“The student leaders met with these individuals via Zoom, but the conversation was just as enriched. Dr. Jonathan Lackland, director of Governmental Relations at Illinois State, plays an integral part in ensuring the University is at the forefront of shaping higher education in the state of Illinois, and I appreciate his commitment to bringing students into his work.”
When young people show up and engage in the hard work of politics and governance, people start to listen, and policies start to change. During the 2020 election, colleges and universities saw a record 66% average of students voting in the presidential election, with Illinois State University matching that trend.
“I think, as young people, we often think that the elected officials are otherworldly or are not interested in what we have to say,” said AJ Biancalana, a sophomore double-majoring in political science and history, and the chairman of SGA’s civic engagement committee. “The biggest takeaway was that everyone we met with was extremely engaged and interested in what we had to say. As a group, we felt respected and heard.”
The students advocated for a variety of student and University priorities that would help further the mission of the institution. Specifically, mental health was a top priority of SGA to ensure the campus community receives the support it needs as students continue their studies and recover from the pandemic.
Stephanie Duquenne, director of Alumni Engagement at Illinois State University, also attended the event and participated in its planning.
“Not only is it important to continue to speak the message of higher education support to our legislators in order for higher ed to be top of the mind when it comes to bill approvals, it is important to get our students’ voices heard, questions answered, and faces seen,” said Duquenne.
According to Crockett, it is important for young people to voice their opinions on issues they are passionate about. Especially issues like mental health that are important to a lot of students at Illinois State.
The students’ efforts during Lobbying Day won’t go unnoticed, either, as they have already made an impact.
“Not only did the students signal support for current legislation, they took their new ideas directly to the legislators. Senate Bill 1577 was passed, and it provides that a public school student (age 6–17) will be granted up to five days of excused absences for mental or behavioral health,” said Crockett.
Lackland also noted the impact the students made during Lobbying Day. “I’m so proud of all of the student leaders who attended Lobbying Day and their incredible hard work and support for the importance of advocacy. Their leadership was duly noted by everyone we spoke with that day.”
Young people are passionate about their communities, state, and country, and it is so important that students level up their advocacy by engaging their elected officials year-round.
“The future of the United States is in the hands of students like Illinois States’ SGA, and I cannot wait to see all they accomplish to make our state and country greater than ever before,” said Crockett.
“I would recommend that anyone and everyone attend a meeting like Lobby Day,” said Biancalana. “Civic engagement is a core value at Illinois State, and it is essential for students to immerse themselves in this aspect of the university. Illinois State produces involved student leaders and alumni, and this is seen when we have so much success at a Lobby Day.”
