The Student Empowerment Training Project worked with students from the University of Maryland, College Park and Towson University in preparation for their campus lobby days. The training included workshops on general campaign strategies, but focused on higher education issues both nationally and on a state level.

The situation in Maryland is promising. Newly elected Governor Martin O’Malley is striving to follow through with his campaign promise to champion higher education. His proposed budget includes strong increases for higher education including funding for a tuition freeze, allowing tuition to be frozen for the second straight year at University System of Maryland institutions and Morgan State University.

However, until the budget is actually passed it is critical that students inform their representatives that this increased funding for higher education should be a priority, and that they should support this budget.

In addition to preparing students to advocate for their interests at the state house, the training served as a meeting ground of student governments from two public universities in the state. The students agreed to continue working together to improve higher education, and to solicit the efforts of other schools in Maryland to ensure that there is a strong student voice in the state for years to come.

^{Pictured: College Park SGA President Emma Simson (left)
and Director of Legislative Affairs Andrew Friedson (right)}