Randolph-Macon College students JP Bailey ’19 (biology major), Molly Bauhan ’21, Corbitt Grow ’19 (philosophy major; ethics minor), James Mahan ’20 (political science major), Joe Maranato ’20 (computer science and political science major; international studies minor), Joseph Pullen ’22 and Austin Throckmorton ’20 (political science and international studies major) visited the Virginia General Assembly to participate in “Thanks for TAG” Student Advocacy Day. They were there in conjunction with Virginia Politics in Action, a course taught by Political Science Professor Rich Meagher.

Other students participating in “Thanks for TAG” Day were Remy Berinato ’20 (business and communication studies major; journalism minor), Hayley Davis ’19 (Spanish, political science and international studies major; communication studies minor), and Tristan Ramsey ’19 (political science major; religious studies and biology minor).

Thanking Legislators
Students visited the Virginia General Assembly to thank legislators for their support of the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG). TAG provides annual tuition grants to Virginia residents who are full-time students at independent colleges and universities in the Commonwealth, including Randolph-Macon College. “Thanks for TAG” Student Advocacy Day is sponsored by the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia (CICV), a nonprofit organization representing 28 accredited nonprofit independent colleges and universities in Virginia.

Virginia Politics in Action
Meagher’s course, Virginia Politics in Action, is a hands-on study of Virginia politics and policymaking that examines how citizens can change state policy. The course is modeled on a program called ENACT, or the Educational Network for Active Civic Transformation, which is housed at Brandeis University. Through their participation in the course, students become part of a national network focused on state-level policy advocacy.

“The course teaches students about the state legislative process, literally from inside the building,” says Meagher. “Students meet with lobbyists, advocates, legislators and staff to gain direct experience with Virginia lawmaking; and they learn and practice important skills that can be used to argue for policy change to legislators. On ‘Thanks for TAG’ Day, students were able to employ their skills and knowledge to directly advocate for a program that greatly benefits them and their fellow students on campus.”

Interns Show Support
RMC students performing internships at the General Assembly also joined the “Thanks for TAG” Day group to show their support for TAG funding. Joel Barron ’19 (history major; political science minor) interned in the office of Delegate Buddy Fowler; Joshua Byrd ’20 (economics and political science major; international studies and religious studies minor) interned in the office of Senator Mark Obenshain; Tre Frederick ’19 (political science major; music minor) interned in the office of Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn; and Katelyn Jordan ’19 (political science major; Spanish and communication studies minor) interned in the office of Senator Ryan McDougle.