SUNY Oswego President Peter O. Nwosu was part of the AASCU on the Hill Annual Convening in Washington, D.C., to meet with U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and others to discuss investments in research and innovation, student success, social mobility and related topics on April 30. Shown from left are President Nwosu; Senator Schumer; Jamal Coleman, SUNY Oswego director of operations, Office of the President; and Kristi Eck, assistant vice president of workforce innovation and external relations.
SUNY Oswego President Peter O. Nwosu joined fellow higher education leaders from across the nation in Washington, D.C. earlier this week to meet with members of the 119th Congress for the AASCU on the Hill Annual Convening.
The delegation advocated on behalf of regional public universities (RPUs), which serve the “new majority” of college students — including those who are first-generation, low-income, Pell Grant recipients, community college transfers, veterans, and students of color. Of the nearly 7 million undergraduate students enrolled at public four-year institutions nationwide, 70 percent (4.9 million) attend RPUs. There are 520 RPUs nationwide across 49 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories.
The AASCU on the Hill event, organized by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), provided a platform for higher education leaders to engage with policymakers on key issues including increased Pell Grant funding, expanded student access, workforce and economic development, investments in research and curricular innovation. Discussions underscored the essential role RPUs like SUNY Oswego play in driving educational opportunity and regional economic development.
During the visit, President Nwosu participated in a meeting with New York Senator and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and his staff, alongside a small group of SUNY and CUNY leaders. He also held individual meetings with Congressman John Mannion — who earned a master’s degree in education from SUNY Oswego in 1998 and represents Onondaga County, home to SUNY Oswego’s Syracuse campus — and Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, who represents Oswego County, home to the university’s main campus. Staff from both congressional offices were also in attendance.
“We are grateful to our representatives for taking time to engage with us on these critical issues,” said President Nwosu. “Advocating for students is at the heart of what we do every day, and we welcome every opportunity to highlight the importance of supporting student access and success. Regional public universities like SUNY Oswego are also powerful economic engines — driving business growth, advancing social mobility, and fostering innovative research that benefits our communities and beyond.”
SUNY Oswego President Peter O. Nwosu was part of the AASCU on the Hill Annual Convening in Washington, D.C., to meet with Congresswoman Claudia Tenney and others to discuss investments in research and innovation, student success, social mobility and related topics on April 30. Shown from left are Kristi Eck, assistant vice president of workforce innovation and external relations; Congresswoman Tenney; President Nwosu; and Jamal Coleman, SUNY Oswego director of operations, Office of the President.
SUNY Oswego President Peter O. Nwosu (right) was part of the AASCU on the Hill Annual Convening in Washington, D.C., to meet with Congressman John Mannion (at left) and others to discuss investments in research and innovation, student success, social mobility and related topics on April 30. In addition, Congressman Mannion earned a master’s in education from SUNY Oswego in 1998.