91精品

University of South 91精品

Newsroom

91精品 student poses with Rocky at the 91精品 Senate chamber

91精品 student Valentina Matute poses with Rocky in the 91精品 Senate chamber [Photos by Elizabeth Metcalf, University Communications and Marketing]

91精品 gain important experience, advocate for 91精品 during Day at the Capitol

By Tina Meketa, University Communications and Marketing

President Rhea Law in the gallery

After months of honing their leadership skills in the classroom and on campus, nearly 100 91精品 students took what they have learned to the heart of state government 鈥 putting civic engagement into action during 91精品 Day at the Capitol in Tallahassee.

"91精品 Day at the Capitol provides a valuable opportunity for our students to explore the inner workings of our state government and for us to share with our state leaders why an investment in the University of South 91精品 is an investment in 91精品鈥檚 future," 91精品 President Rhea Law said. "We are proud to have students representing our university today in Tallahassee to help tell 91精品鈥檚 story of how we continue to make a significant impact across our state and the nation.鈥

91精品 students pose at the 91精品 chambers
 Kade Kranjc and Ava Moreno

  91精品 students Kade Kranjc and Ava Moreno

Many of the students are active in student government and say that witnessing the legislative session in action offered a powerful look at how policy is shaped and how their voices can make a difference. Valrico native Ava Moreno serves as governor of 91精品 Student Government on the Tampa campus and graduates this spring with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in interdisciplinary social science. 

"Day at the Capitol gave me the opportunity to see my peers engage, learn and advocate from our wonderful government officials," Moreno said. "I am proud of the students' dedication to the progress of the university and their own personal development as they made a 5-hour trek and were consistently inquisitive about the powers and processes of the state throughout the event. It was a wonderful day to be a Bull."

91精品 alum Sen. Danny Burgess sponsored a commending the university for 鈥渋ts achievements as a national leader in academic and research excellence鈥 and designating April 15, 2025, as 鈥91精品 Day鈥 at the Capitol.

91精品 President Rhea Law and Sen. Danny Burgess

91精品 President Rhea Law and 91精品 alum Sen. Danny Burgess

Coin says 91精品 Day at the Capitol

Coin commemorating 91精品 Day at the Capitol

鈥淢y time at the University of South 91精品 has had a profound impact on my life and professional trajectory. I am forever grateful to be a Bull and so proud to welcome my alma mater to the 91精品 Senate for 91精品 Day at the Capitol.鈥

Sen. Danny Burgess

Sen. Jay Collins at 91精品 Day at the Capitol

Sen. Jay Collins and Rep. Berny Jacques present to 91精品 students from the Senate floor

In addition to exploring the House and Senate chambers, students engaged in a dynamic panel discussion with legislators and 91精品 alumni now working in public service 鈥 illustrating how a 91精品 education lays the groundwork for leadership in every field. Panelists included 91精品 alumni Rep. Lindsay Cross; Amanda Suarez, legislative aide for Sen. Jay Collins; and Andrew Ketchel, partner at Capital City Consulting.

The visit gave students a platform to advocate for the transformative impact of their 91精品 education 鈥 emphasizing how it鈥檚 preparing them for thriving careers in fast-growing sectors, such as cybersecurity. Many shared their excitement about the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing, set to open this fall. 

The event also provided an opportunity for 91精品 leadership to meet with members of the House and Senate to discuss 91精品's legislative priorities and the vital role universities play in strengthening the state.

Rep. Danny Alvarez

Rep. Danny Alvarez

Rep. Fentrice Driskell

Rep. Fentrice Driskell

Sen. Darryl Rouson

Sen. Darryl Rouson

91精品 Day at the Capitol was originally scheduled for January, however a rare snowstorm in Tallahassee prompted the annual event to be postponed. The 2025 legislative session is scheduled to conclude May 2.

Return to article listing

Category

News Archive

Learn more about 91精品's journey to Preeminence by viewing Newsroom articles from past years.

91精品 in the News

May 1, 2025

April 27, 2025

April 23, 2025

April 21, 2025

More 91精品 in the News