From Campus to Capitol: Oxford Students Experience Georgia's Government
Oxford students recently spent the day at the Georgia State Capitol, where they had the unique opportunity to engage with their elected leaders and witness the legislative process in action. From insightful discussions with Representative Tim Fleming and Emory’s government affairs team, to observing a live vote and the House in session, the experience provided a firsthand look at how the state government operates.
What does it mean to be civically engaged? For a group of Oxford students, the answer came not from a lecture hall but from the heart of Georgia’s legislative process. With a front-row seat to the state’s political engine they watched, they learned, and they left inspired. OxVotes is a Non-partisan organization aiming to provide Oxford students with the resources and information to confidently exercise their right to vote. This organization is dedicated to empowering students with the tools they need to engage fully in the democratic process. On Wednesday, March 4, a group of students had the opportunity to travel to the Capitol and see the Georgia House of Representatives and Emory’s Government relations team hard at work offering a prime example of the experiential learning opportunities that Oxford College has to offer.
This experience offered students a chance to not only observe the House in session but also meet with legislators from Newton County to learn more about the intricacies of policy making and how students can effectively advocate for their needs. “It showed me that within the chambers of state government there is far less animosity than I expected, especially considering the current political climate, and also highlighted the importance of building relationships with representatives if you want to make a change,” says Niko Sample-Kiertrys 25Ox 27C.
Students were able to forge meaningful connections with local officials allowing them to have a firsthand look into the legislative process. “I could see the 'lightbulb moments' as students asked thoughtful questions and actively engaged in the visit,” says Megan Hulgan, Assistant Director, Student Involvement, Leadership, and Transitions.
This spring OxVotes has shifted its focus from voter registration to fostering a deeper civic understanding. Pawaan Patel 26Ox, says, “I have been interested in politics for a while now, but this experience enabled me to see the political process firsthand and definitely made me more confident that I want my future career to relate to politics and government.” This shift in focus has had a profound impact on participants like Pawaan. By engaging in more in-depth discussions and events like Oxford Day at the Capitol, students are gaining a broader perspective on governance and have strengthened their understanding of the political processes.
Reflecting on the time that they had, both Pawaan and Niko, agreed that the most memorable part was being recognized by state representative Tim Fleming who represents Newton County, while speaking from the floor. Moving forward, OxVotes will reconvene and debrief about their experiences and map out the next steps toward civic engagement after spring break.
