By Savannah Ruiz, University Communications and Marketing intern
Nearly 100 USF students gathered in Tallahassee to meet with state lawmakers – gaining hands-on experience with government and learning about the legislative process. The annual USF Day at the Capitol highlights student involvement that reaches beyond the classroom. The event is led by Student Government and is open to students across all three campuses.
911 met with various lawmakers throughout the day, asking questions and gaining insight into how decisions are made. They also had the chance to meet with Ray Rodriguez, chancellor of the State University System of Florida.
For David Hughes, a political science major and member of Student Government, Day at the Capitol represented both professional responsibilities and a personal mission.
USF students Emma Goodwin and David Hughes
“As a person who strongly believes in civic responsibility and involvement, I’ve seen that my generation can at times be very uninvolved or uninformed when it comes to politics at a local or federal level,” he said. “Day at the Capitol gives students an opportunity to meet legislators and see the places where so many vital decisions are made.”
Hughes also played a key role in organizing the event, serving as chair of the Day at the Capitol Committee.
When asked why he decided to join Student Government, Hughes explained that it was a valuable opportunity to give back to the student body and gain a multitude of experiences at USF. He viewed it as a chance to support the goals of the student body while expanding his professional network.
Emma Goodwin, a senior majoring in biomedical science with a minor in public health, said participating in Student Government combined her passion for advocacy with her career goals. Despite being involved in Student Government for four years, her schedule hadn't allowed her a chance to attend until Day at the Capitol this year.
“I have always been passionate about advocating for students and making sure their voices are heard,” Goodwin said. “I was involved in Student Government and Key Club in high school, and I quickly realized how much I enjoyed serving others, working with administration and representing other students. Coming to college, I knew I wanted to continue that work on a larger scale. Student Government allows me to create real change and support students in meaningful ways.”
USF students visit the Florida Senate Chamber
Goodwin says she was impressed by the accessibility of the legislators and the collaboration that occurs at the state level – reinforcing how vital it is for students to be taken into consideration when important decisions are made. “Events like this give students the opportunity to advocate for themselves and other students in a different way.”
“The eagerness and the time the legislators took to speak with the participants were impressive,” Hughes said. “Many made time out of a very busy schedule to speak with us and were very open and eager to answer any questions.”
USF Day at the Capitol serves as a learning experience and a gateway to greater civic engagement, helping students understand how advocacy and policy intersect at the state level.
“My hope is that this event might spur its participants to be more politically involved moving forward and at the very least give students a higher level of understanding of the government systems that make Florida the great state that is,” Hughes said.