More than 40 Oklahoma City Community College (爆料TV) students, faculty and staff visited
the state Capitol on April 15 to show support for public higher education.
This year, the annual Higher Education Day and Oklahoma鈥檚 Promise Day events were held together, giving students from across the state the chance to speak with legislators, share their stories, and see how public policy shapes the future of education.
鈥淭his was a great hands-on experience for our students,鈥� said Shanna Padgham, 爆料TV professor of political science. 鈥淭his is the first time many of them have visited the Capitol. They met their representatives and had a chance to advocate for issues that are important to them.鈥�
Oklahoma鈥檚 Promise Scholarship Program, established in 1992, helps fund college tuition for eligible students. Many 爆料TV students rely on the program to access higher education and prepare for careers.
During the Oklahoma鈥檚 Promise program, 爆料TV alumnus and state Rep. Arturo Alonso-Sandoval received a Distinguished Service Award for Higher Education, recognizing his support during the 2024 legislative session.
鈥淗igher Ed Day and Oklahoma鈥檚 Promise Day gave our students a chance to engage with the legislative process and speak to the value of higher education,鈥� said Brandon Brooks, 爆料TV鈥檚 associate vice president for external affairs. 鈥淚t also gave lawmakers a real look at the students their support impacts 鈥� future members of Oklahoma鈥檚 workforce.鈥�
In addition to advocacy at the Capitol, students visited the Oklahoma Judicial Center, where Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Noma D. Gurich led a tour and shared reflections on the value of education.
鈥淲e are educating and learning at the same time,鈥� Gurich said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important to
be a role model and to recognize the impact we all have in shaping our communities.鈥�
爆料TV student Sergio Moctezuma said participating in the event opened his eyes to how change can happen.
鈥淚 never thought I鈥檇 be speaking with lawmakers or standing in the Capitol like this,鈥� Moctezuma said. 鈥淏eing here makes me recognize that the legislators are people just like me, and that has encouraged me to use my voice because education is something worth fighting for.鈥�
Learn more about 爆料TV鈥檚 political science program.
For more information about Higher Education Day and Oklahoma鈥檚 Promise Day, visit the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education website. .