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Mason Lobbies gives students access to Virginia leaders

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About two dozen 亚洲AV students took part in the ninth annual Mason Lobbies on Wednesday, Feb. 3.

About two dozen 亚洲AV students took part in the ninth annual on Wednesday, Feb. 3, discussing issues with lawmakers from across the Commonwealth of Virginia, including Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates Eileen Filler-Corn, House Majority Leader and Secretary of Education .

This year the program was virtual but still featured opportunities for interaction with state leaders.

Herring and Qarni are Mason alumni, and Filler-Corn hails from Northern Virginia and is a long-time supporter of Mason.

鈥淵ou are the future leaders,鈥 said Filler-Corn, who has served in state office ever since Mason Lobbies began. 鈥淚鈥檝e always been inspired by you all. Challenging times, but I know that we鈥檙e going to get through this together. And I just feel better knowing that you all are going to be at the helm.鈥

Atif Qarni
Virginia Secretary of Education Atif Qarni speaking to Mason students during a virtual Mason Lobbies on Feb. 3

Organized in part by Maria Hern谩ndez and Nicholas Sheets of 鈥檚 Government and Community Relations team, this year鈥檚 Mason Lobbies also included student body president Shelby Adams and vice president David O鈥機onnell as well as Mason President Gregory Washington, among others.

Washington encouraged the student lobbyists to be 鈥渘ot just lifelong learners but lifelong engaged citizens,鈥 and to understand the impact of their advocacy.

鈥淚t begins with individual leadership,鈥 Washington said. 鈥淵ou all have shown that today by putting the time and the effort into this event. Our legislators love hearing from you. I鈥檝e heard personally from them that they really appreciate the ability to engage with you all.鈥

Washington shared his legislative priorities, including funding for financial aid and to address Mason鈥檚 state-leading enrollment growth, increased compensation for faculty and staff, funding to cover costs incurred during the pandemic, and support for Mason鈥檚 鈥淭ier 3鈥 management status, which would offer the university the greater financial and administrative flexibility enjoyed by peer universities in the state. Washington also voiced support for a bill that would enable Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students to qualify for financial aid.

In addition to their discussions with legislators throughout the morning, students posed questions to Qarni about Title IX, international students, pay raises for educators, food insecurity and other issues.

Acknowledging his fondness for Mason, Qarni said that his admiration goes beyond his personal ties.

鈥淲e鈥檙e supportive of [Mason鈥檚] efforts because the leadership is doing great work,鈥 Qarni said. 鈥淵ou all really care about all of your students, you fight hard for them, and you鈥檙e doing all the right things.

鈥淲e want to support your work, because the values are right.鈥