Students to travel to state capital for annual Advocacy Day activities

Dozens of students will be traveling to Richmond on Jan. 31 through Feb. 1 to proudly represent and advocate for Radford University and their fellow students.

For the 15th year, Radford University students, accompanied by university administrators, will travel to the Commonwealth's capital for Advocacy Day, an annual opportunity to meet with Virginia's decision makers and to "put a face on the university."

While in Richmond, students will get a first-hand glimpse of state politics, network with Radford University Board of Visitors and senior administrators, attend committee meetings, tour the Executive Mansion and the Virginia State Capitol and meet in smaller groups with their respective delegates and senators. A meet-and-greet with Gov. Terry McAuliffe is also on the agenda.

The upcoming Advocacy Day trip, planned for Jan. 31-Feb. 1, is a first for freshman communication major Tony Phan.

"This opportunity is important to me because, coming from a single-parent household, being able to afford a college education is imperative," Phan said.

Phan, who is also a first-generation college student as well as a first-generation American, said he hopes to gain a better understanding of the legislative process and state government's "inner-workings" and to "voice my opinion about our great university," he said.

Etrenda Dillon, a senior management major, has participated in Advocacy Day before, and she is eager to return to Richmond this year.

"My favorite part of the trip was meeting all the delegates and advocating for Radford University," Dillon said. "I think it was a great real-world experience because I had the privilege to represent my school to high-level government officials. It was also beneficial because I had the opportunity to practice my professionalism. This year, I'm excited to return and represent my school one last time at this amazing event before graduating."

Students will leave Radford University's campus Jan. 31 and return on Feb. 1.

For more information on Advocacy Day, visit www.radford.edu/content/dos/home/advocacy-day.html.