Four Keuka College seniors took their education beyond the classroom last month, traveling to Albany to lobby state lawmakers on policies affecting their future profession.
Marissa Schmitz, Anna Dewispelaere, Amanda Sheehan, and Kaitlyn Donovan, all Occupational Therapy majors, joined Associate Professor Dr. Beth Jordan in a lobbying event organized by the New York State Occupational Therapy Association. The students met with state legislators, including Sen. Pamela Helming and Sen. Patrick Gallivan, to discuss pending bills related to occupational therapy in public health and education.
Their efforts focused on issues such as early intervention services, preschool special education, and integrating occupational therapy more effectively in schools. The students researched and prepared talking points on six proposed bills, gaining hands-on experience in advocacy.
“It was so cool to have a voice,” said Sheehan, who met with Sen. Helming. “It was the last thing I thought I’d be able to do.”
The group took part in 91 meetings across the day, totaling more than 24 hours of advocacy. Dr. Jordan emphasized the significance of the experience, calling it “real advocacy.”
For the students, the event changed their perspective on public engagement. “I just didn’t think my voice mattered,” Sheehan added. “But it did that day.”
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