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Representatives from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) participated again in this year’s Higher Education Day at the State Capitol Tuesday, Feb. 10. NEO’s Student Body Government (SBG) team had the opportunity to travel to Oklahoma City and have dinner and discuss emerging topics in higher education with legislators and Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. “The NEO students appreciated the opportunity to discuss issues that are directly affecting them with those who are charged with dealing with the issues. On behalf of NEO, we would all like to say thank you to Representatives Loring and Cox and Senators Shaw and Wyrick for welcoming NEO at Higher Education Day,” said Amy Ishmael, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management. “The students had an opportunity to see state government first hand and have a greater appreciation for what these individuals do on a daily basis.”
The officers started their Oklahoma City visit by meeting with State Legislators from the House and Senate, the Chancellor of Higher Education, OSU A&M Board of Regents and staff. The students participated in a discussion concerning higher education topics including Oklahoma’s Promise, guns on campus, and other issues facing Oklahoma’s college students. The following day the students toured the Capitol and sat on the house floor as concerns with higher education were expressed. Some of the topics discussed were funding higher education and weapons on campus. The NEO team lobbied their concerns and the opinions of the students who are currently facing these challenges in today’s higher education environment. “The fact the Representative Hoskins along with others emphasized this Capitol building was our building, and we had the power to make change was very motivating, not only to students furthering their education, but to everyone,” said Hanna Minson, SBG vice president.
The speakers included Chancellor Glen D. Johnson, Governor Mary Fallin and Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb, and students from multiple colleges across Oklahoma who also had the chance to voice their opinion on the House floor. The group from NEO included: • Amy Ishmael, Vice President for Student Affairs • Tim Taylor, President • Hanna Minson, Vice President • Mattie Moore, Secretary • Sabrina Terrell, Treasurer • Breanna Barngrover, Senator at Large • Sydney Reynolds, Senator at Large • Josh Warren, Senator at Large • Veronica Dzul-Garcia, Freshman Representative • Chaney Scott, Freshman Representative
