By NASFAA Policy & Federal Relations Staff

As part of April’s Advocacy Pipeline, NASFAA hosted members in Washington, D.C. for in-person meetings with congressional staffers from California and New Mexico. 

Elizabeth Jacquez-Amador from the University of New Mexico, Jenny Garcia from the University of San Francisco, and Christina Tangalakis from Antelope Valley College visited the offices of Reps. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and George Whitesides (D-Calif.), as well as Sens. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.). 

We asked our Advocacy Pipeline participants to share their thoughts and key takeaways from their time advocating with congressional staffers. Read on to learn about the Advocacy Pipeline experience, and fill out this interest form if you would like to participate in an Advocacy Pipeline event.

Elizabeth Jacquez-Amador - Director of Financial Aid, University of New Mexico

Participating in NASFAA’S Advocacy Pipeline was an incredibly rewarding experience. It provided a rare opportunity to directly engage with policymakers to advocate for the students and institutions we serve every day. I haven’t previously had the opportunity to attend in-person Hill visits, so one of the highlights was meeting with staffers from New Mexico's congressional delegation. Discussing the real impacts of federal financial aid policies with leaders who are committed to supporting education was both inspiring and empowering.

I was pleasantly surprised by how welcoming and receptive the congressional offices were to hearing each of our perspectives, regardless of which state we represented. Our conversations focused on the importance of continued support for Pell Grants and campus-based programs, student loan repayment and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), and the critical need for sustained investment in higher education access and affordability. It was clear that our voices as financial aid professionals matter and have the ability to influence real change.

If anyone is considering advocacy work, I highly encourage you to take the leap and participate in the Advocacy Pipeline. Nalia’s experience helped calm nerves and ensured everything ran smoothly. Being able to speak to individuals influencing federal policy differs from state policymakers.  Advocating for students and  gaining  a deeper understanding of how federal policy is shaped will go a long way in helping us handle future changes. This experience has strengthened my commitment to advocacy and my work to keep student-centered policies at the forefront of everything I do. Thank you, NASFAA, for this opportunity!

Jenny Garcia - Senior Associate Director of Compliance and Audits, University of San Francisco

Last month, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in NASFAA’s Advocacy Pipeline in Washington, D.C., an experience that was both professionally enriching and deeply personal. It was a chance to step outside of my day-to-day responsibilities and step into the heart of federal policymaking, where decisions are made that directly impact the work I do.

My favorite part of the experience, without a doubt, was having face-to-face conversations with congressional staff and getting to share our lived experiences as financial aid administrators. Being able to talk about the students who rely on Pell Grants, campus-based aid, and PSLF, to not just attend college but persist through graduation, was powerful. It reminded me that behind every policy is a person whose future hangs in the balance.

The experience was more than I expected. I anticipated the importance of the work and the professionalism of the NASFAA team, but I didn’t expect to feel so empowered by the process. Advocacy can seem daunting from the outside, but the preparation we received helped me feel confident walking into those meetings, knowing that our voices truly do carry weight.

What surprised me the most was how receptive the congressional offices were. There was genuine curiosity and openness to hearing about the challenges students face today, particularly around affordability and equitable access. It gave me hope and reinforced the importance of continuing these conversations year-round. Our meetings focused heavily on protecting federal financial aid programs, especially as Congress approaches reconciliation. We advocated for preserving and strengthening Pell Grants, maintaining funding for campus-based aid like FSEOG and Federal Work-Study, and maintaining pathways for PSLF. These aren't just budget items. They are investments in our future workforce,  communities, and economy.

For financial aid administrators thinking about participating in a future Advocacy Pipeline, my biggest tip is this: don’t underestimate the value of your perspective. You have stories, data, and lived experience that lawmakers need to hear. Speak from the heart and don’t be afraid to talk about the real-life impact of policies. 

This experience was a reminder of why I do this work. Advocacy isn’t just an extra task, it’s an extension of our role. Being part of the Advocacy Pipeline has energized me to continue advocacy back into my daily work and to continue looking for ways to influence policy, whether that’s through future Hill visits or by staying active in state conversations. This experience deepened my commitment to ensuring higher education remains a gateway to opportunity. 

Christina Tangalakis - Senior Director of Financial Aid, Antelope Valley College

As financial aid professionals, we're used to advocating for students in ways that often go unseen — through policy interpretation, navigating compliance, and supporting students one award year at a time. Participating in the NASFAA Advocacy Pipeline gave me the opportunity to advocate in a more visible, direct way, by walking the halls of Capitol Hill and having real conversations with the people who help shape the laws we implement every day.

Alongside two outstanding colleagues, Elizabeth Jacquez-Amador from the University of New Mexico and Jenny Garcia from the University of San Francisco, I spent the day meeting with Congressional staffers from both the House and Senate. Each meeting was a reminder of how important our professional experience is to these discussions — not just as financial aid administrators, but as the frontline experts who understand how federal student aid truly impacts students’ lives.

As a Californian, it was a privilege to speak with staff from the offices of Representative Nancy Pelosi, Representative George Whitesides, and Senator Adam Schiff. We brought forward stories from our campuses, especially the unique challenges our community college students face — from housing and food insecurity to the struggles of balancing work, school, and family obligations. These conversations gave us the chance to connect high-level policy discussions with the real needs of real students.

The NASFAA team did a phenomenal job preparing us, and their support made the experience accessible and rewarding. I appreciated how well-structured the day was and how much space we had to speak authentically — without needing to be policy wonks or lobbyists. Just showing up as ourselves — professionals who care deeply about access and equity — was enough.

If you're a financial aid administrator who has ever thought about getting involved in policy advocacy, I encourage you to take the leap and participate in this initiative. The work we do matters, and our voices,grounded in student stories and institutional realities, are critical to shaping smarter, more responsive legislation. I left Washington, D.C. feeling empowered, reconnected to our mission, and proud to represent both my state and my profession.

Please fill out this interest form if you would like to participate in a future Advocacy Pipeline event!

Publication Date: 5/19/2025

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