.jpg)
Anne Arundel Community College students took part in the Maryland Association of Community Colleges’ (MACC) Student Advocacy Day in Annapolis on Feb. 5. This annual event brought elected state officials together with more than 150 students from Maryland’s 16 community colleges to highlight how legislative and budgetary decisions affect students and to promote the colleges’ shared legislative goals.
“I always love getting a behind-the-scenes looks at things like this, like how systems work, how different people in different positions make things work,” said Nicholas Taylor, an education student who attended.
Speaker Pro Tem Luke Clippinger kicked off the event by affirming his support for community colleges and acknowledging their value to both students and the state. A panel of legislators and student speakers followed, underscoring the need to invest in education, prepare students for the future and encourage them to keep pursuing their aspirations.
After the kickoff, the 15 AACC students met with delegates and senators from Anne Arundel County to share personal stories about the college’s impact on their lives. Students spoke about how community college has shaped their educational goals, strengthened their career prospects and contributed to the future of Maryland’s workforce.
“It was really nice to know that these representatives want to hear our stories,” Taylor said. “A lot of times we think about politics ... and we feel a little detached from it. So being here at the local level, talking to these people, then hearing our stories, us hearing theirs, it helps us remember that there are people in this.”