Miami University students from all majors visit with elected officials at the U.S. Capitol and the Ohio Statehouse to advocate for Miami University and higher education.

The Government Relations Network (GRN) equips students with the skills to effectively interact and network with public officials, university alumni, and other professionals in government-related fields.

With undergraduate research significant to Miami’s undergraduate education focus, students also present their research outcomes to elected and government officials in Washington D.C. and Columbus. This provides undergraduate researchers in the GRN  with the opportunity to speak to the important role their research plays in society and how their research is impacting humanity, the state, nation, and world.

These interactions by all GRN students have helped advance Ohio’s top priorities — such as health care, entrepreneurship, data analytics, addiction and wellness, gerontology, water resources, education, engineering, cybersecurity, and computer science.

For example, the GRN successfully advocated for Miami University’s Work+ program, where students earn an associate or bachelor’s degree while working part-time and getting their tuition paid. Students work approximately 24 hours per week with a Work+ employer and take classes in a major of their choice. In return, the Southwest Ohio employer receives a dedicated employee committed to the company for at least a year and can expose students to their company while they are still receiving their education.

The GRN encompasses members from all backgrounds and political beliefs, who have integrity, knowledge, leadership, and advocacy skills. The GRN students engage with individuals at all levels of government who may have different views than themselves, giving the students off-campus opportunities to learn how to effectively communicate with someone they disagree with in a respectful manner.

Many students go on to work in a government-related field both during their undergraduate career and after graduation.

“It is rewarding to witness students developing mutual respect, understanding, and friendship with colleagues from differing political perspectives as they discover how much they have in common, especially a passion for civic engagement and making a difference,” said Randi Malcolm Thomas, vice president of ASPIRE.