Nearly 200 students, alumni and administrators traveled to Tallahassee to advocate for the USF System and see firsthand how government works. They met with 25 elected officials, including USF alumni legislators Rep. James Buchanan, Rep. Jackie Toledo and Rep. Jennifer Webb. Students also had the opportunity to tour the House and Senate Chambers, the Supreme Court and the Florida Archives.
Students highlighted the diversity, engagement and academic prestige of the USF student body with the presence of ROTC cadets, student veterans, USF Health students and other student leaders.
Prisca Alilio, a second-year medical student, shared how impactful the day was for USF Health students, saying they 鈥渃an be advocates alongside legislators for things we are passionate about like the construction of the new Morsani College of Medicine Building.鈥�
The group got to participate in an interactive lunch with panelists Merritt Martin, director of public affairs at Moffitt Cancer Center, Derick Tabertshofer, legislative aide to State Representative Heather Fitzenhagen and Lawrence Mower, a reporter with the Tampa Bay Times and Miami Herald who works out of the Tallahassee bureau. Jim Magill, lobbyist with Buchanan, Ingersoll Rooney, served as moderator.
The panelists spoke about their professional experiences, the importance of being engaged in their community and gave students advice on pursuing a career in government affairs.
This year marks the first 鈥淒ay at the Capitol鈥� since USF was named a Preeminent State Research University and the final one before USF System President Judy Genshaft retires this summer. To celebrate the momentous day, President Genshaft received a white coat from USF Health student leaders and an honorary degree from Student Government.
鈥淚t鈥檚 honestly one of the greatest opportunities any student at USF can participate in,鈥� said Student Body President Moneer Kheireddine. 鈥淚鈥檝e participated every year for the past four years, and each year just gets better and better. The number of legislators you get to personally meet, the spaces you get to see and the passion you see from your fellow students as they advocate on behalf of the University that they love and cherish, there just isn鈥檛 any else like it at USF.鈥�
The event closed with a VIP reception for students, alumni and legislators.