NC
Nicole Crossey
  • political science/international relations
  • Class of 2016
  • Plainsboro, N.J.

Nicole Crossey of Plainsboro Participates in Student Lobby Day with Widener University

2014 Apr 15

Nicole Crossey of Plainsboro, N.J., a Junior Political Science/International Relations major at Widener University, recently traveled to Harrisburg, Pa., for the 2014 Student Lobby Day. There, Crossey , along with peers from Widener, met with Pennsylvania legislators to discuss increased financial support for middle income students.

Crossey was one of 40 Widener students from Dr. Wes Leckrone's Interest Groups in American Politics course and Dr. Angie Corbo's PR Campaigns course who worked on a semester-long campaign advocating for middle income student debt relief. The students drew on each other's strengths to raise awareness of middle income student debt both on campus and in Harrisburg and to motivate both students and legislators to stand up for debt relief measures. Their work culminated with the Harrisburg trip.

The classes acted throughout the semester as the Super PAC titled College Students Concerned about College Costs (CSC3). They hosted events on campus to discuss student debt and created postcards arguing for middle income student debt relief, which they encouraged their peers to sign. They sorted these postcards according to district and personally delivered them to the appropriate state legislators while in Harrisburg.

In their Harrisburg meetings, the Widener students asked the elected officials to support various efforts to reduce middle income student debt, including the Middle Income Student Debt Reduction Act, which creates a new grant system to provide $36 million to middle income students, and Gov. Tom Corbett's similar proposal for a $25 million Ready to Succeed grant program to help students from families that earn up to $111,000.

After taking a drop-in meeting with a small group of students, State Rep. Mario Scavello, R-176, agreed to co-sponsor the Middle Income Student Debt Reduction Act.

Widener University is a metropolitan university that connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention, leadership development and experiential learning are key components of the Widener experience. A comprehensive doctorate-granting university, Widener is comprised of eight schools and colleges that offer liberal arts and sciences, professional and pre-professional curricula leading to associate, baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degrees. The university's campuses in Chester, Exton and Harrisburg, Pa., and Wilmington, Del., serve more than 6,300 students. Widener is proud to be a tobacco-free campus. Visit the university's website, www.widener.edu.