2019 Government Relations Network Alternative Spring Break Advocacy and Leadership Conference
Over spring break, 65 Miami University students and Miami University’s President will participate in the Government Relations Network Alternative Spring Break Advocacy and Leadership Conference. During the Conference, students will meet with members of the Ohio Congressional Delegation and members of the Ohio General Assembly. In these meetings, students will advocate for higher education and Miami University by sharing their own Miami experiences with members and staff. Students will present to members and staff undergraduate research and experiential learning opportunities that they have engaged in at two poster sessions, one on Capitol Hill and the other at the Ohio Statehouse. Students will also hear from state and federal policymakers on leadership, citizenship, and advocacy.
Hannah B. Specogna
Junior, specoghb@miamioh.edu
Major: Diplomacy & Global Politics Minor: Italian
Hometown: Massillon, OH 44646
Campus Involvement:
- Co-Chair of Inter-Chapter Relations and Member of Phi Sigma Pi
- Member of College Democrats
- Member of Model Arab League
- Member of Model United Nations
Why Miami: Miami University opens doors I did not know where even possible, the experiences that I have had while studying at Miami will live lasting impacts. At Miami, there are programs and organizations that provide many opportunities for networking, community involvement, and overall professional and academic growth. Miami University effectively prepares students to enter the job market in addition to providing memories that last a lifetime.
U.S. Congressional Member: Anthony Gonzalez
Ohio Senator: Kirk Schuring
Ohio House Member: Scott Oelslager
Rukmini (Ruku) Pal
First-year, palr3@miamioh.edu
Major: Business Economics, Entrepreneurship Minors: Political Science, Global Health
Hometown: West Chester, OH 45069
Campus Involvement:
- Member of Business Student Advisory Council
- Member of Honors Student Advisory Board
- Member of Multicultural Business Association
- Member of Miami University’s Chapter of Active Minds
- Member of Women in Social Entrepreneurship
- Member of Government Relations Network
- Goalie on Intramural Broomball Team
Why Miami: Miami provided the flexibility to combine different interests across areas and still graduate in four years. As a student with incredibly diverse interests, the opportunity to pursue numerous passions at once, combined with the home-like atmosphere, made Miami University the obvious choice.
U.S. Congressional Member: Warren Davidson
Ohio Senator: William P. Coley, II
Ohio House Member: George F. Lang
Matthew Stanonis
Sophomore, stanonmj@miamioh.edu
Major: Political Science, International Studies, Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies
Hometown: Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44023
Campus Involvement:
- President, Lithuania Club
- Director of Communications, Miami University College Republicans
- Dawisha Fellow, Havighurst Center for Russian and Post-Soviet Studies
- Member, Miami Students for Life
- Member, Thursday Night Bible Study, St. Mary Catholic Church
- Member, Racquetball Club
Why Miami: I have always been fascinated by the study of politics and Russia. Miami University provides a top-notch political science department, an accomplished faculty, a unique and strong Russian program, and the scholarship necessary to attend college here. Miami University has also carefully cultivated an excellent, academic on-campus culture that both interests and challenges me and has enabled me to network with accomplished individuals from across the world and engage in amazing opportunities.
U.S. Congressional Member: Dave Joyce
Ohio Senator: John Eklund
Ohio House Member: Sarah LaTourette
