From the Nominator

In summer 2023, the U.S. House of Representatives unveiled its proposed education funding bill for the upcoming federal fiscal year, which, if passed, would have enacted devastating cuts to programs that help keep college and graduate school accessible and affordable. The bill proposed to eliminate three critical student-aid and support programs—Federal Work-Study, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, and Child Care Access Means Parents in School—while flat funding the Pell Grant. At the University of California, these programs support tens of thousands of students. The proposed cuts quickly gained national attention. In partnership with the UC Student Association (UCSA)—and in coordination with our campus colleagues and national association partners—the UC Advocacy Network (UCAN) developed a grassroots campaign to get advocates to email or call their House members and urge them to oppose the proposed cuts. When Congress returned from its August recess, UCAN launched the campaign with a message authored by the UCSA president. This message was delivered to UCAN members, which is an opt-in community of students, staff, faculty, alumni, and friends of the university. In the weeks that followed, advocates elevated the efforts, and students from across the UC system shared their stories and worked to motivate peers to speak out to their members of Congress. In the end, the campaign resulted in more than 840 legislator connections and reached every member of the California congressional delegation.

From the Judges

What a great example of getting the student body organized and involved around an important topic touching everyone at the institution! We were really impressed by the various ways students could choose to engage with this initiative, and it offered asynchronous opportunities. This was clearly a great example of impact and effort toward a meaningful solution.