AASCU on the Hill 2027

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). The start of the first session of the 120th Congress in 2027 provides a renewed, timely opportunity to engage with your federal delegation. AASCU invites all its members and leaders at regional public universities (RPUs) to attend the Washington, D.C., event on April 6-7 to promote the successes of the sector and its positive social and economic impacts on their surrounding communities. Members of Congress need to hear from you directly to help them better understand this cohort of institutions. Specifically, it is crucial that you share how institutional achievement is directly correlated with student success and regional social and economic prosperity. RPUs have become increasingly successful in securing community-funded projects or member-directed funding between fiscal year (FY) 2024 and FY26. We encourage you to discuss your institutional requests for infrastructure improvements, acquisitions, local nonprofit support, or community/regional development projects directly with your current or new member of Congress. Advocates can expect to help shape the development of federal policy issues including: Preserving federal student financial aid and strengthening institutional funding; Demonstrate to Congress the unique impact and the crucial role RPUs play in economic and workforce development; Support continued national investments in higher education programs directly linked to student access, retention, and success. Share your expertise and unique insights to help educate your federal delegation on the complexities of modern higher education institutions, the composition of today's students, and the innovative approaches, recommendations, and challenges in advancing your organization's mission.