Maryland Independent Higher Education Day

On February 9, 2012, four other nursing students and I were given the honor to represent JHU at Maryland Independent Higher Education Day. We met a lot of people from various universities, politicians, and lobbyists.

From top left to right: Christina Dorsey, Bethany Ackerman, Lesley Dokes (me), Emily Bisker, Dan Mertz.

We learned about Maryland Independent College and University Association (MICUA), a member-driven organization devoted to serving the interests of independent higher education and supporting the work of campus leaders throughout the state of Maryland.

MICUA has a capital grant program that is assisting JHU to construct a new 105,000 square foot facility to support the university’s undergraduate programs in the natural sciences and provide space for modern life science-based research.

We discovered that JHU has lobbyists who work at the sate capitol speaking daily to senators and delegates on the university’s and students’ behalf to ensure funding for building projects and financial aid.

Lesley Dokes (me), Delegate Steven J. DeBoy, Sr., and Bethany Ackerman after a meeting with lobbyists.

At the end of the day’s events we sat at a luncheon honoring Treasurer Nancy Kopp with the 2012 Presidents Award for her continuous support of Maryland Independent Higher Education.

Treasurer Nancy Kopp and I after she was presented with the 2012 Presidents Award.

The day was exciting. It was interesting to see a different aspect of Johns Hopkins University. It helped me to realize the work and effort Johns Hopkins puts forth to ensure that it  provides top of the line facilities to ensure quality education for its students and maintain the maximum amount of aid to assist students in funding their education.