Molloy University's commitment to student advocacy and civic engagement was evident as the Director of the Sustainability Institute and the Office of Government and Community Affairs at Molloy University, Neal Lewis, along with Molloy student advocate and Political Science major, Jessica Gilbert, traveled to Albany on February 27, 2024. Their mission: to participate in the 16th annual Long Island Lobby Day, with a primary focus on lobbying legislators and Governor Hochul’s office to support the expansion of the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).

2024 marks the 50^th anniversary of the New York State Tuition Assistance Program which has helped millions of students pursuing their higher education goals.

This year, Molloy University's delegation focused on updating three key aspects of the TAP program: Raising the minimum TAP award from $250 to $500 per semester; reinstating TAP assistance for graduate
students; and most fundamentally, greatly expanding who can qualify for TAP by raising the $80,000 family income eligibility threshold. The New York State Legislature set the family income cutoff at $80,000 for all parts of the State—25 years ago.

The eligibility threshold has a profound impact in high-cost regions such as Long Island and New York City, leaving many students unable to benefit from TAP. The proposals under consideration are to either increase the family income threshold (to either $110,00 or $125,000) or to adopt a new criterion that is based regional income levels.

Long Island Lobby Day, an annual event organized by Vision Long Island, provides a crucial platform for Long Island community leaders, activists, and advocates to directly engage with legislators in Albany. Long Island Lobby Day brought together a diverse coalition of more than 40 community and not-for-profit leaders, each championing various interests such as smart growth, environmental sustainability, small business advocacy, labor rights, hunger relief, funding for bus and rail transportation, affordable housing, education, and more. The collective strength of the Long Island Lobby Day Coalition underscored the connection of community issues and the collaborative effort needed to address them comprehensively.

As the Director of both the Sustainability Institute and the Office of Government and Community Affairs, Neal played a pivotal role in leading Molloy University's advocacy efforts. His broad understanding of the legislative process and commitment to educational opportunities make him a powerful advocate for the proposed changes to the TAP program. In reflecting on the remarkable advocacy efforts of Molloy students, Neal stated, "I'm deeply impressed by how well our students, led by Jessica Gilbert this year and last, represented our institution and advocated for the first expansion of higher education access in 25 years. Their impactful efforts not only contributed to the effort to achieve policy change but also provided valuable experiential learning during their visits to the State’s Capitol, offering them firsthand insights into the legislative process."

Jessica, a Sophomore Political Science Major, brought invaluable firsthand experience as a student navigating the complexities of higher education to the table. In her impactful engagement with state legislators and their staff, she directly conveyed the challenges students face. Jessica's direct meetings with policymakers underscored the urgency of the proposed changes, as she shared a compelling narrative that resonated deeply with her personal experiences. Her presence in Albany underscored the real impact and financial barriers that students face and lent a personal perspective to the delegation's advocacy efforts.

In speaking about her experience Jessica said, “Being able to advocate for something that not only impacts my future but those of my peers studying at Universities across New York State was riveting! Meeting and speaking directly to legislators cemented in me the idea that one must be the representation you seek!” Jessica was the first student in New York State to directly discuss TAP expansion with the Governor’s office.

This was Jessica’s second trip to Albany and third time lobbying for TAP expansion. Last year, Jessica was accompanied by fellow Molloy student aid advocates, Kritika Bedi and Katie Sandoval. Katie has since graduated. Kritika is now the Student Advocacy Chair for Molloy Student Government.

Neal's expertise and Jessica's student perspective presented a compelling case for the expansion of TAP funding, emphasizing the tangible benefits they could bring to students and the broader community.

The 16th annual Long Island Lobby Day showcased Molloy University's dedication to creating positive societal change through sustainability and civic engagement. Neal and Jessica’s efforts exemplify Molloy University's commitment to fostering an inclusive and accessible educational landscape, demonstrating Molloy’s role as a catalyst for positive change in the community and beyond.