In January 2020, Stony Brook University’s (SBU) Office of Federal Relations launched the SBU Advocacy Corps – a virtual program that develops select students into effective policy advocates. Since the program’s launch, SBU students who participated in the program have used their valuable experience to help secure competitive jobs and internships in congressional offices.
“I am so grateful for my time in SBU’s Advocacy Corps,” said Erin Byers ’22 who now works on Capitol Hill for Rep. Brad Sherman (CA-30) as a staff assistant. “Under the mentorship of Stony Brook’s Assistant Vice President for Federal Relations Lauren Brookmeyer, I honed my advocacy skills, enhanced my strategic communication skills, and was afforded the opportunity to network with congressional staffers and DC alumni. I am honored to be working for Congressman Sherman and encourage other Stony Brook students who are passionate about federal advocacy and policy to join the Corps.”
SBU Advocacy Corps members participate in policy briefings related to federal financial aid, scientific research, diversity and inclusion, immigration reform, and other higher education priorities provided by SBU’s Office of Federal Relations. Subsequently, SBU Advocacy Corps members meet with Congressional members and staff virtually to advocate for SBU priorities.
“As the Stony Brook Advocacy Corps student campus lead, I learned many valuable lessons by helping to craft our meeting agendas and policy talking points for our virtual meetings with members of Congress and their staff,” said Annie Green ’22 who is currently interning for Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-13) in the congresswoman’s district office. “The Corps provided me with a unique opportunity as a college student to advocate for our university’s federal priorities with key influencers on the Hill. I apply the lessons learned from my valuable Advocacy Corps experience in my current role with Congresswoman Lee each day.”
Harrison Feig, who will be graduating Stony Brook next spring and also serves as the vice president of Academic Affairs for the Undergraduate Student Government, leveraged his Advocacy Corps experience and the Corps’ networking opportunities to help secure an internship with U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. “I’m so grateful and honored to have had the privilege to intern in Senator Chuck Schumer’s Melville Office this past spring semester,” said Feig ’23. “It’s crucial for students who are interested in federal public policy and advocacy to get involved with university programs like Stony Brook’s Advocacy Corps aimed at enhancing student government relations and advocacy skills under professional mentorship.”
Students interested in joining SBU’s Advocacy Corps should fill out the application and e-mail it to SBU’s Assistant Vice President for Federal Relations Lauren Brookmeyer at Lauren.Brookmeyer@stonybrook.edu.
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