A group of Seton Hill students once again traveled to Harrisburg in April to speak to legislators about the importance of state grants and scholarships as part of an advocacy day sponsored by the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP).

These Pennsylvania resident students took the opportunity to meet with representatives and senators or their staff members from their hometown districts, as well as those representing Seton Hill's district, to talk about the importance of PHEAA Grants and Ready to Succeed Scholarships in helping to fund their education. 

The students – including second-year participants business administration major Sarah Gilliam and political science/pre-law major Jarred Spellman, as well as first-time lobbyists Daniel Dunmire and Madalyn Fortin, both music education majors, and Josie Hampton and Dustin McMullen, both biology-pre-med majors – also spoke to the lawmakers about what independent colleges and universities such as Seton Hill mean to Pennsylvania's economy and how these institutions serve a vital role in educating students in fields that are critically important, including healthcare, education and cybersecurity. 

The students, who were joined by Seton Hill Director of Student Leadership and Involvement Evan Ditty, also toured the Pennsylvania Capitol Building and participated in an AICUP press conference. McMullen had the opportunity to take a photo on the Senate floor with Sen. Scott E. Hutchinson, who represents his district.