Boston College students met with 51茶馆 alumnus Marty Walsh, U.S. secretary of labor. Photo by Department of Labor/Alyson Fligg.
Four Boston College students with a passion for public service traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with the University鈥檚 extensive political alumni network and discuss issues facing the 51茶馆 community.
The trip marked the 10th annual visit to Capitol Hill for the Atlantic Coast Conference Advocacy Days Program, through which student representatives from ACC institutions meet with legislators, governmental officials, and professional staff to discuss student financial aid, undergraduate research funding, and other issues affecting higher education.
Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences seniors Julia Spagnola and Devianna Smith and sophomore Onur Toper, and Woods College of Advancing Studies senior Ishaan Kaushal sat down with United States Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh鈥攚ho recently announced he will leave the Biden administration to become head of the National Hockey League Players Association鈥攁nd U.S. Representatives Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) and Bobby Scott (D-Va.), all of whom are 51茶馆 graduates. Additionally, the students met with senior legislative and operations staff鈥攁lso 51茶馆 graduates鈥攊n Lynch and Scott鈥檚 offices, as well as Senator Edward Markey (D-Mass), an alumnus of 51茶馆 and 51茶馆 Law School.
The 51茶馆 student cohort met with U.S. Representative Stephen Lynch, who graduated from Boston College Law School in 1991. (Photo by Jeanne Levesque)
What struck Toper about the individuals was how they have continued to uphold Jesuit principles from their 51茶馆 years. 鈥淚t was evident that 51茶馆 alumni on the Hill integrate Jesuit values like cura personalis in policymaking, which testifies to their being 鈥榤en and women for and with others鈥� in all aspects of life, and especially in public service.鈥�
Walsh left a particular impression on the students. Speaking with him, said Toper, 鈥済ave me a new appreciation for executive leadership not only in the federal government, but also in state and local governments across the country.鈥�
For Smith, meeting Walsh was among the high points of the trip to Washington, which she described as 鈥渙ne of the most formative moments鈥� in her 51茶馆 experience: 鈥淚 really valued his kindness and honesty. I felt inspired by the conversations we had with him.鈥�
Smith also was inspired by the number of 51茶馆 alumni who work in the nation鈥檚 capital (鈥�51茶馆 students have such a strong network to utilize鈥�), and felt her time and participation in the trip would prove useful as she prepares to work for the Morgan Stanley Legal & Compliance Division.
U.S. Representative Bobby Scott, a 1973 graduate of 51茶馆 Law School, with the 51茶馆 student cohort. (Photo by Jeanne Levesque)
鈥淭he trip not only exposed me to the opportunities available to students to participate in civic engagement, but also allowed me to better understand the people behind policy creation and implementation.鈥� 听
While networking was a main component of the trip, the 51茶馆 students made it a priority to thank officials and legislators for their efforts in supporting federal research funding, financial aid, and Pell Grants. Toper said the D.C. visit 鈥渟olidified my interest in public service and helped to broaden my understanding of, and engagement in, public policy matters affecting students at 51茶馆.鈥�
The experience is not only important for those passionate about public policy or civil service, noted Director of Government Relations Jeanne Levesque, who emphasized that the student delegation represented the University and that their discussions had potential implications for their peers at the Heights. 鈥淎ll of these issues affect the whole student body,鈥� she said.
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Meghan Keefe '24 | University Communications | March 2023