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.
Here’s a look at a few of our participants.
Taylor Armstrong
First-year, armstrt5@miamioh.edu
Major: Political Science Minor: Sports Management
Hometown: Urbana, Ohio 43078
Campus Involvement: 
- Intramural Official for the Miami Recreation Department
- Talk Show Host – The Armstrong Angle – WMSR Redhawk Radio
- Member of Miami University College Republicans
- Member of Government Relations Network
Why Miami: Several of my relatives attended Miami University including my Father (Class of 1996). When I first visited Miami, I was stunned by the beauty and tradition the campus and Oxford held. I felt Miami University had everything I was looking for to pursue my higher education. The campus is not too big or small, it is part of a small town, and Miami boasts a quality education. Miami University embodies everything that makes Ohio and the Midwest a great place to live, learn, and succeed.
U.S. Congressional Member: Jim Jordan
Ohio State Senator: Matt Huffman
Ohio House Member: Nino Vitale
Madison Fisher
Senior, fishermc@miamioh.edu
Major: Political Science
Hometown: Bay Village, Ohio 44140
Campus Involvement:
- Government Relations Network
- College Democrats
- Economics Club
- Programmer for RAYKA (a start-up company)
Why Miami: When I was a senior in high school, I was a D1 recruit for crew. I had received a few full scholarship offers from schools on the East coast of America, but something didn’t feel right. I decided to visit Miami in February of my senior year and was very impressed with the campus, the dedication to undergraduate education, and the quality of education its students receive. Many of my family members attended Miami University and have only fond memories of their time in University, which was definitely a key factor in my decision. After a thorough review and analysis of my options, I decided that I wanted to invest in my education as well as my personal and professional development while in university instead of sports.
U.S. Congressional Member: Marcy Kaptur
Ohio Senator: Matt Dolan
Ohio House Member: Dave Greenspan
Michael Markoff II
Junior, markofms@miamioh.edu
Majors: Diplomacy &Global Politics and Psychology
Hometown: Jackson Township, Ohio 44718
Campus Involvement:
- Associate Justice for the Office of Community Standards Court
- Phi Sigma Pi Honor Fraternity Member
- Legal Committee Chairman for the First Miami Student Credit Union
- Society for Psychological Inquiry Member
Why Miami: I spent four years of my childhood living in Luxembourg. During those four years, I learned the importance of global competency and understanding the world around us. After living in Europe I decided to continue my global education in high school and eventually Miami. I was an International Baccalaureate Diploma Student at my high school, which meant that I had taken a wide variety of complex college-level courses focused on furthering my education about the world. I choose to come to Miami because of their well-known study abroad opportunities and the Diplomacy and Global Politics major that is offered exclusively at Miami.
U.S. Congressional Member: Anthony Gonzalez
Ohio Senator: Sherrod Brown
Ohio House Member: Scott Oelslager
