AASCU on the Hill
Join AASCU for an in-person Hill Day and make your voice heard in the halls of Congress. Your institution’s voice can help shift the needle on key federal policy priorities for regional public universities (RPUs).
Register now.
Meet in person with your federal delegation.
The start of the first session of the new 119th Congress on Jan. 3, 2025, provides a fresh opportunity to engage with new and/or current members of your federal delegation. AASCU calls on all members to come to Washington, DC, Apr. 29-30 to help spread the word about the successes of regional public universities (RPUs) and the social and economic impacts on its surrounding communities.
The members of the new Congress need to hear from you directly to help them better understand our cohort of institutions. Specifically, the students you educate and graduate, the connection and stewardship of place the institutions have with the surrounding communities, the long-term impact your institution has on the region’s economy, and why federal first-of-its-kind investments are needed to help support this vital higher education sector.
RPU leadership must increase its engagement with federal elected officials to help make the case for new institutional support. The 2025 AASCU on the Hill provides such an opportunity.
What can advocates expect on Apr. 29–30, 2025?
Join your friends and peers for the 2025 AASCU on the Hill and have an impact on the development of the following important policy issues:
- Federal resources directed at regional comprehensive universities
- A budget reconciliation cycle that can be instrumental to the future health of the Pell Grant Program
- Make the case to strengthen the federal-state partnership
- Increase awareness and support for educator preparation programs
Share your expertise and unique insights to help educate your federal delegation on the complexities of modern higher education institutions, the diversity and makeup of today’s students, and the innovative approaches, recommendations, and challenges in advancing your organization’s mission.
Who should attend?
- Presidents and chancellors
- System presidents and chancellors
- Government relations/public affairs staff
- Student government or association presidents, invited by campus leadership
Benefits of participation?
- Meet directly with the offices of your senators and representatives
- Get briefed on the latest news and actions on Capitol Hill
- Utilize practical materials, trainings, and resources for meeting talking points, suggestions, and advocacy best practices
- Network and connect with other AASCU presidents/chancellors and share knowledge and best practices
Schedule at a glance
The sessions and meals on Tuesday, April 29, will be held at AASCU’s offices. 1717 Rhode Island Avenue NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20036. The opening session and breakfast on Wednesday, April 30, will be on Capitol Hill—the location to be selected. Transportation will be provided in the morning from the event hotel to the Capitol.
| 11:30 a.m–12:15 p.m. | Lunch and Welcome |
| 12:15–1 p.m. | Washington Update
This session will provide a policy overview of what is happening in the 119th Congress and within the new administration and what to expect when you are meeting with the members of your delegation the following day. AASCU will provide an update on the policy goals to support regional public universities and what to expect from federal higher education policy going forward. |
| 1–2 p.m. | Regional Public Universities and Stewardship Grants
Join this session to learn the specifics of AASCU’s legislative proposal to strengthen the federal-state partnership by creating Stewardship Grants to support regional comprehensive universities (RPUs) directly. The audience will receive the latest data and analysis on the number of RPUs and the need for and the purpose of this new grant program. Members present can ask the government relations staff ample questions about the proposal and provided materials. |
| 2–2:15 p.m. | Break |
| 2:15–3:15 p.m. | The Future of Pell Grants Funding and FAFSA Simplification ImplementationThis session will update current efforts to double the maximum amount of a Pell Grant to $13,000 and provide a financial outlook on the program’s health. Recent changes to the Pell Grant program have critically diminished the former Pell surplus. |
| 3:15–4:15 p.m. | Effective Messaging to Public Officials
Hear from former public officials about which arguments, data points, and stories changed their minds or moved them to action. Attendees will get to ask current colleagues how they approached higher education policy decisions at the state and federal levels and how to improve their advocacy pitches. |
| 4:15-4:30 p.m. | Break |
| 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Session (TBD) |
| 5:30-7 p.m. | Reception (AASCU Offices) |
| 8:15–8:45 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 8:45–9:15 a.m. | Final Charge Join your friends and colleagues on Capitol Hill for breakfast and some parting words of wisdom as everyone prepares for their congressional visits. A special speaker will share timely insights on congressional policies that impact public higher education and how to get the most out of your visits. |
| 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. | Capitol Hill Meetings |
Testimonials
“The AASCU On the Hill Day is a very exciting day for me and my team. It allows us to connect with colleagues for networking experiences, receive up-to-date information from the talented AASCU Government Affairs team, and visit with our Federal General Assembly members. Visiting one-on-one with our Maryland Senators and Congressmen has enabled our institution to share “our story” and make them aware of new and amazing initiatives at UMES.”
“AASCU on the Hill provides me with the opportunity to present the current impact of Fresno State in a natural perspective, while keeping in mind that my diverse and talented graduates constitute the future of our country.”
“It was wonderful to be a part of AASCU on the Hill Day. The briefings on higher education policy and the current climate in DC were so helpful in our advocacy work. I’m grateful for the powerful way in which AASCU represents regional public universities and colleges–campuses like mine that provide access and opportunity for thousands of students—and ensures our voice is heard.”
“I would encourage anyone who is interested in Higher Education federal legislation to attend the AASCU on the Hill event. The speakers and AASCU staff give you lots of current information and review legislative priorities before ascending Capitol Hill. I plan to attend next year!”
“AASCU on the Hill provides thoughtful programming and convenient access to legislators, think-tanks, and advocacy groups. Having the conference programming in Washington DC provides significant benefits by facilitating direct engagement between policymakers and stakeholders. This setup optimizes the impact of the conference by enabling real-time discussions, informed policy debates, and potentially influencing legislative outcomes.”
Hill Meetings
Hill Meeting Scheduling: Attendees are responsible for scheduling meetings with their congressional delegation: one member of the U.S. House of Representatives and both U.S. Senate offices. Meetings should preferably be scheduled between 10 am – 5 pm on Wednesday, Apr. 30. For those attendees requiring assistance, AASCU Government Relations staff stand ready to assist with any scheduling needs.
*Reminder*
Most meetings in Capitol Hill offices are scheduled for only 20-25 minutes. AASCU recommends asking for a meeting with your elected official AND their legislative assistant covering higher education policy issues. Attendees should determine the necessary travel time between meeting locations and take that into account when scheduling meetings between both sides of Capitol Hill. We recommend, at least 30 minutes to get from the House to the Senate or vice-versa.”
Please reach out to AASCU Government Relations staff if you require assistance in scheduling any meetings. We encourage you to share any time constraints, additional requests, or previously scheduled meetings you may have via email. You can contact our team at govrel@aascu.org.
TRAINING VIDEOS
- Tips for Before and After Your Meeting
- Hill Meeting Do’s and Don’ts
- Advocating Before a Divided Congress
Join us in April and make your voice heard.
| Attendee type | Early Bird Rate (before Nov. 25) |
Regular Rate (After Nov. 25) |
|---|---|---|
| Member Presidents, Chancellors, Government Relations staff |
$250 | $350 |
| Nonmember Presidents, Chancellors, Government Relations staff |
$500 | $700 |
| Students | Complimentary | Complimentary |
AASCU on the Hill Partner
Have questions about AASCU on the Hill 2025? Let us know.
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