Leaders and Learners Appreciation Breakfast
Isabel Torres, a second-year student and Student Government Association (SGA) President said her role often involves speaking up but admits she was nervous about chatting with elected officials.
“Recently, I spoke at City Hall with the University Student Senate, so I did feel like I was in a better position to have a conversation with them,” said Torres. “It made me realize that these are just people who want to help, and they want to hear the student voice.”
Torres was one of roughly 20 students who attended the Leaders and Learners Appreciation Breakfast,” a breakfast with local elected officials and Cabinet members. Legislators at the breakfast included Queens Borough President Donovan Richards; NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr.; NYS Senator John Liu; NYS Senator Jessica Ramos; Assemblyman Edward C. Braunstein; Assemblymember Catalina Cruz; Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas; Assemblymember Nily Rozic; Assemblymember Clyde Vanel; Assemblymember David Weprin; and NY Council Member Linda Lee. Jeffrey Rodus, CUNY Vice Chancellor for Government Affairs, also attended the breakfast.
President Christine Mangino opened the event by telling everyone that the breakfast was a way to thank our elected officials for their ongoing support of Queensborough and to let students share their experiences with them directly. A legislator and a cabinet member sat at each table between three to five students, and they all shared casual conversations over breakfast. In addition to hearing from the students, many of the legislators shared their own stories and offered advice that resonated with the students.
“I thought it was nice to talk about myself and hear from others as well and their stories,” said Dylan Gonzalez Ramirez, Business Management major.
Students say the exchange was a chance for them to let the legislators know about the issues that affect them and their ability to focus on academics.
“We have a lot of things going on in our personal lives that take away from education a lot of the time,” Torres added. “Food insecurity is one, the housing crisis is another, and that is what I brought up.”
And, the students said, the breakfast reinforced the importance of civic engagement.
“There are ways to get involved, your voice matters,” said Torres.
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