As lawmakers in Albany grapple with shifting civic priorities and potential changes in federal funding levels, we witness the annual process by which the New York State budget is prepared. The negotiation between the Governor and state legislators is an extensive undertaking which recurs year after year in the state capital. While this ongoing process makes headlines throughout New York State, today we take note of a select group of high school students who directly lobbied lawmakers in Albany at the beginning of the state’s budget process. Three students from the Liberty Partnerships Program at NYU Metro Center (NYU LPP) made the trip to Albany a few months ago as part of Advocacy Day.
This annual event, a collaboration between NYU LPP, the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU), and NYU Government Affairs, aims to secure vital funding for college-bound opportunity programs such as the Liberty Partnerships Programs (LPP), Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), and Higher Education Opportunities Programs (HEOP). With the state budget under discussion and preparation for the April 1st budget proposal approval, the event provided a crucial platform for students to speak directly to legislators about the importance of these programs.
This year, three young adults representing NYU LPP were high school students from Landmark High School and Richard Green High Schools — Luna Delgado, Anna Begunova, and Richard Martinez. Each of these students has been heavily involved in the Liberty Partnerships Program at NYU Metro Center and demonstrated a passion for making a difference. They were joined by five NYU college students who had benefited from these very programs, creating a powerful bridge between high school and higher education.
While the students were initially nervous about speaking with state legislators—something they never imagined they would have the chance to do—their confidence quickly grew. After an information session outlining the day’s events, the students realized the strength of their voices and the responsibility they carried. They understood that their stories could help shape decisions about the future of opportunity program funding in New York.
Luna Delgado, a student who spent the last three years with the Liberty Partnerships Program at NYU Metro Center demonstrates how NYU LPP can transform students’ lives. Once a shy, often tardy student, Luna has blossomed into a confident leader, participating in extracurricular activities and consistently demonstrating punctuality and dedication. Her story exemplifies how additional support and opportunity programs can help unlock students’ full potential, encouraging them to become leaders who positively influence those around them. Luna's growth perfectly aligns with the Liberty Partnerships Program’s motto of "no student left behind," as the program strives to help each student overcome obstacles and achieve high school and college success. NYU LPP Director, Yolanda Fordham, describes the program this way; “the Liberty Partnerships Program provides high-quality academic interventions that will close the performance gap among students, as they improve their ability to graduate from high school and enter postsecondary education and the workforce.”
What makes Advocacy Day unique is that students aren't required to memorize speeches or prepare lengthy presentations. Instead, they are asked to share their personal stories in their own words, explaining why programs like Liberty Partnerships Program (LPP) are so vital. These raw, unfiltered narratives have a powerful impact on legislators, moving them to recognize the importance of funding such initiatives. This year, the students advocated for the restoration of funding for opportunity programs, specifically requesting a 20% increase in funding for LPP, HEOP, TAP, and others, in response to the Governor’s proposed 3% budget cut.
For the student advocates, this Advocacy Day started with a 6:30 am departure from NYU’s Bobst Library. The early AM campus departure was followed by a three-hour bus ride to Albany. Upon arriving at the state capital, the students had the opportunity to meet with four New York State legislators and their staff throughout the course of the day. The students would share their respective stories and insights with Assembly Members who represent their home boroughs/districts, including Assemblyman Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Assemblywoman Stacey C. Pheffer Amato, Assemblywoman Nily D. Rozic, and Assemblyman Harvey Epstein. These meetings gave the students an opportunity to speak directly to those who could influence the state budget and ensure that funding for opportunity programs remains a priority.
In addition to the meetings, the students participated in the Student Aid Rally at the iconic Million Dollar Staircase in the Capitol. The rally brought together student and staff advocates from across the state to push for the restoration of funding for educational programs.
The politicians they met with were deeply moved by the students' stories, expressing a clear commitment to advocating for increased funding for opportunity programs. For the students, meeting these lawmakers and seeing their genuine interest in supporting their futures was an empowering experience. They left Albany tired but filled with a sense of accomplishment and pride, knowing that they had used their voices to advocate for themselves and future students.
The students also had the chance to connect with the five NYU college students who accompanied them. These college students served as mentors, sharing their experiences and offering guidance on navigating the college enrollment process.
The day was a testament to the power of student advocacy, with the support of their school administrators, principals, and parents, who were all proud of the students' involvement in such an important cause. The event underscored the significance of student voices in shaping education policy and highlighted the transformative impact of Liberty Partnerships Program at NYU Metro Center, and other youth development and college/career preparation programs to empower students from underserved communities to achieve their dreams. Jasrin Jalal, NYU LPP Assistant Director shared that this trip to Albany was the culmination of combined academic interventions with partner schools. Ms. Jalal continued by engaging the core tenets of New York State’s Liberty Partnerships Programs, this is but one of the opportunities that ensures that “LPP graduates will be prepared for the rigors of the postsecondary education and the workforce.”
As the intrepid students from NYU LPP, Luna, Anna, & Richard boarded the bus back to New York City, they left the Capitol with more than just memories of a long day; they left with the knowledge that their voices had made a difference and that their advocacy would help shape the future of education in New York.