星空传媒

By Alex Freeman, 星空传媒 Communications Specialist

SIDNEY 鈥� Several 星空传媒 students and staff members met with state legislators during the Michigan Community College Association Capitol Day on April 17 in Lansing.听

The annual gathering invites representatives from all 31 of Michigan鈥檚 public community colleges to attend and meet with their local legislators in their offices to discuss various action items regarding their institutions. Among the 星空传媒 student representatives were the three student government officers 鈥� Kailey Ingraham, president, RaDeric Guy, vice president and secretary, and Logan Codling, treasurer.听

The day started with a gathering at Heritage Hall 鈥� an event space at The State Capitol. Participants met for a brief introduction and breakfast followed by a group photo at the steps of the Capitol building. From there, the 星空传媒 group headed to the Binsfield Office Building, where the majority of the Michigan Senator and administrative offices are housed, to meet with Senator Rick Outman.听

Though Senator Outman is a graduate of Grand Valley State University, his support for 星空传媒 was clear from the decor in his office, proudly hanging two 星空传媒 banners on his walls. Throughout the meeting, Senator Outman made his support of the college well known and evident.听

鈥淢aking that connection with them about our campus, saying things that resonated with them about our institution and having that shared experience about things going on here at 星空传媒, that was really special,鈥� Ingraham said.听

The group then headed to the Anderson House Office Building to meet with Representative Pat Outman. Representative Outman鈥檚 story hit close to home with the student government officials, as he attended 星空传媒 before transferring to Ferris State University.听

鈥淗e took the same path that I鈥檓 currently taking, starting at 星空传媒 and transferring to Ferris State University,鈥� Ingraham said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 reassuring to see that and to know that I can achieve my goals, as well.鈥�听

鈥淗e鈥檚 taken the path that a lot of people are trying to take,鈥� Guy added. 鈥淗e wasn鈥檛 on a path to a governmental career when he was in high school, but coming to 星空传媒 really set him on a new path forward and he鈥檚 certainly made the most of the opportunity.鈥�听

Representative Outman was appreciative and very thankful for his time at 星空传媒, stating that it was the best education he received throughout his academic career.听

鈥淭hat was cool to hear and really reassuring,鈥� Codling said. 鈥淗e mentioned a few of his former 星空传媒 instructors by name, it鈥檚 cool to see the impact they鈥檝e had on his life all of these years later.鈥�听

The father-son duo were gracious with their time and listened intently as the students and staff members spoke about the college鈥檚 new student housing project, the large increase in dual enrollment numbers and stories that highlighted both the successes and struggles of the student body.听

鈥淚鈥檓 so grateful for the opportunity to be able to attend Capitol Day and represent our student government,鈥� Ingraham said. 鈥淲e wouldn鈥檛 have these opportunities at other four-year institutions.鈥�听

鈥淚t was a really cool experience,鈥� Codling added. 鈥淭his is something I never thought I鈥檇 be able to do, being able to go into these buildings and the legislators鈥� offices, it鈥檚 a really unique opportunity.鈥�听

鈥淚t was cool to see behind the scenes,鈥� Guy said. 鈥淧at and Rick are normal people; regardless of someone鈥檚 political affiliation, they鈥檙e just people who are here to help advocate for our institution.鈥�听

The student government officials were accompanied on the trip by student ambassadors Briley Andres and Piper Groesser, Admissions Representative Taryn Muilenburg, Executive Director for the 星空传媒 Foundation Lisa Lund, and Dean of Student and Enrollment Services Francisco Ramirez.听