 
(Pictured on the Left) Lyndsay Schoenhals (Government Relations Committee Member, Oklahoma State University), Tristen Black (President-Elect, University of Oklahoma), and Stacey Evert (President, Brownell Talbot School);
(Pictured on the Right) Stacey Evert (President, Brownell Talbot School), Senator Deb Fischer (NE)
On March 3rd through the 4th , three GPACAC members represented the Great Plains and advocated for students’ rights in Washington DC. During these two days we were trained and educated on what is important to NACAC, how to advocate successfully and make meaningful connections. The GPACAC members included Past-President Stacey Evert, Current President Tristan Black and Gov. Relations Committee Member Lyndsay Schoenhals.
The Advocacy day began with a day-long training. We heard from NACAC employees, members and veteran advocacy day attendees. We also heard from a member of Virginia Delegate, Alfonso Lopez, and Kathy Valle, the senior education policy advisor for the house committee on education. They gave us wonderful inside information on how to talk to our elected officials and what is happening on important bills. We spent a few hours on the counselor to student ratio. NACAC unveiled an interactive state-by- state map that shows the counselor to student ratio for each school district in each state. Lastly, we went over the importance of international students, resolving DACA and financial aid programs. The next day was when we went to the Hill. Since our members were from Nebraska and Oklahoma, our meetings consisted of meeting with 2 senators and 1 representative from Oklahoma and 2 senators and 1 representative from Nebraska. We mostly met with the staff and aides that work with education policy, but Stacey was lucky enough to get an actual meeting with one of her senators! Overall the meetings went well and we feel that we got our message and points across. We are looking forward to working with these official and their teams in the future.
If anyone is interested in learning more about the Government Relations Committee of GPACAC or joining, please reach out to Lyndsay Schoenhals at [email protected] We are always looking to add more members and help find ways to advocate for the students of GPACAC.
 
Terri Schuelein (Drumright Schools), Lyndsay Schoenhals (Oklahoma State University), and Dr. Vicki Schaeffer (Heritage Hall)
GPACAC Goes to The OK State Capitol!
The first ever GPACAC “Hill Day” in Oklahoma was help on Tuesday, Feb. 26th. Terri Schuelein (Drumright Schools), Lyndsay Schoenhals (Oklahoma State University), and Dr. Vicki Schaeffer (Heritage Hall), spent the afternoon visiting with five state representatives (three of whom sit on the Education sub-committee), explaining who we are and why college/career guidance is crucial to all students in the state of Oklahoma. Equipped with a handout, prepared by Bryon Williams (Kansas State University) and Schoenhals, we were able to discuss funding for schools, financial support for college students, and many more topics. While we seemed to make more of an impression with some than others, this was a start! They now know that we are here, and will be watching closely what they do. A few asked great questions, and even indicated they might need our help in proposing some new ideas as they move forward to support education in our state. So, where do we go from here? This is just the first step in advocating for our students. Contact your legislators (remember, they work for us!), tell stories about your students and what they need, and invite these elected officials to your schools. Once they see the great work being done in our high schools and universities, they will understand how crucial it is to support our work. We will be heard!
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