1202 W. Thomas Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85013
602–285–7500

Two Phoenix College Students Attended Association of Community College Trustee’s National Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C.

by: Christy Skeen

Phoenix College students Patricka Fletcher and Alan Heckman recently challenged their lobbying skills at the Nation’s Capitol during the week-long Association of Community College Trustee’s National Legislative Summit.

As members of the Maricopa Community College Student Public Policy Forum, these two students worked alongside 16 other Maricopa students also involved in the program, governing board members, and the Director of the District’s Office of Government Relations and External Affairs - to lobby in favor of national legislation affecting community colleges.

The Maricopa Community College Student Public Policy forum is a fairly new program designed to provide an exceptional learning environment that prepares students to become educated and involved citizens. The program offers a variety of educational experiences, including hands-on interaction with policy makers at the local, state and national level. Members of the Forum enjoy specialized workshops, guest speakers, leadership development, field trips, reflective journaling, networking opportunities and the overall public policy process.

Visiting the nation’s capitol was a first for many of the participants, including Fletcher.

"This experience has given me a better understanding of how our government really works," she said. "It allows you to see both the positive and negative attributes of policy making. You see a new horizon…you really see what’s possible."

After completion of this nine-month program, students should possess the following:

--Greater understanding of public policy issues and process;
--Heightened leadership and advocacy skills;
--Awareness of the benefits of collaboration and networking;
--Ability to effectively demonstrate knowledge gained, both verbally and non-verbally; and,
--Active involvement in a public policy process.

"The overall experience was exhilaratingly," added Fletcher. "I actually felt like I was making a difference."