By Will Lipske, Associate University Registrar for Academic Services, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Approximately two weeks ahead of ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥’s Hill Day, I had the great opportunity to talk with Emily Gallagher, a fellow first-time Hill Day participant. Emily is a Student Services Assistant on the Office of the Registrar’s team at Cornell University’s College of Human Ecology. Having never met Emily (we were connected by a shared colleague and veteran Hill Day participant, Dr. Sara Sullivan, also at Cornell University in the Office of the University Registrar), I was excited to connect.
I was eager not only to meet another newcomer but also to give myself a bit of a sanity check: were the thoughts swirling in my head common, or at least shared by someone else? Below are some highlights I’ve learned from Emily’s experience.
Will: What initially drew your attention to ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥ Hill Day?
Emily: I actually didn’t know much about Hill Day—or even ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥—until a former colleague told me about her experience. She was really enthusiastic and encouraged me to participate. At that point, I wasn’t even an ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥ member. But after our conversation, I did some research, joined ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥, and applied for Hill Day.
I’ve always been interested in policy and political science. It was my college major, so the opportunity really aligned with my academic interests. Professionally, I’ve been working in the Registrar’s Office for about a year now, and I’m still learning so much. But from the moment I heard about Hill Day, I knew I wanted to be part of it. This is taking the direction I saw myself going as an undergraduate and applying it. As a recent college graduate now working in higher education, I felt like I had a unique perspective to contribute.
Will: How are you preparing for Hill Day? What’s going through your mind as we get closer?
Emily: This is a great opportunity. I’m trying to focus and calm any anxieties that I have. Even before I applied, I did a lot of background research to make sure I had a solid foundation. I knew my academic background in political science would help, and I’ve been leaning on that.
Since being selected, I’ve been reading every email ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥ sends, completing the online course, and keeping up with current issues impacting higher education, which seem to be changing daily. I’m also listening to podcasts, reviewing ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥ materials, and talking to colleagues and past Hill Day participants. I’m trying to stay flexible because the conversations on Capitol Hill can go in different directions. I want to be informed and ready for any topic that might come up.
Will: What are some of the key issues you’re hoping to advocate for during Hill Day?
Emily: One issue that’s really personal to me is college affordability. When I was deciding where to go to college, cost was a major factor. I chose SUNY Cortland largely because it was affordable, had a strong teaching program, and was in my hometown. I didn’t have to pay for room and board, and my tuition was mostly covered by state grants and scholarships—until my final year, when some of those grants were cut. That was the only year I had to pay full tuition.
The cost of college was the most important consideration when I decided where to attend. I believe that financial support can make the difference between someone being able to attend college or not—whether it’s a community college, four-year school, public, or private. When I see funding and grant programs being reduced or eliminated, I feel strongly that we need to advocate for better access and more support for students. It’s something I’ve experienced personally, and I know it matters to a lot of people.
Emily and I spoke for nearly an hour, and you can read more of my reflections in the companion piece on “What We’re Bringing to ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥ Hill Day: Part 1.” I’m walking away from this engaging conversation with a few key takeaways.
First, it’s a powerful reminder of the impact of a simple shoulder tap. Both Emily and I were encouraged to apply for ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥ Hill Day by former participants who shared their enthusiasm. In Emily’s case, she even joined ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥ after a colleague spoke so highly of the community.
Second, it highlights the importance of having diverse voices and experiences in our profession. As a recent graduate and new member of the ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥ community, Emily brings a fresh perspective on the student experience, along with new energy and ideas.
Finally, we both acknowledged that policies are changing at such a rapid pace. While it's overwhelming at times, this year could be one of the most impactful times to be advocating on behalf of ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥.