Villanova Students Bring Their Voices to Nation’s Capital for Council of Graduate Schools Advocacy Day
Drew Doughan ’25 MA and Nicole Roldan ’25 MA joined graduate education leaders from across the country in Washington, D.C.
As future leaders in education, Drew Doughan ’25 MA and Nicole Roldan ’25 MA know they have a responsibility to positively shape the success of students. In many ways, the future of education is in their hands—and in the hands of their peers—which is why an opportunity to engage with federal agency officials and members of Congress to discuss issues impacting U.S. graduate education was so crucial for the pair.
Doughan and Roldan participated in the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) Advocacy Day on April 23 and 24. They were joined by Emory Woodard, PhD, Dean of Graduate Studies for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, as well as students and graduate deans from Penn State University and the University of Pittsburgh, among others.
Their meetings ranged from large bipartisan discussions with Senate committees to smaller, localized talks with Pennsylvania representatives. Both students noted how receptive many lawmakers were—particularly when they shared personal stories and data about how federal policies directly impact graduate students.
“For me, education is a means to further oneself and serve the common good and better the lives of our communities,” says Roldan, who is pursuing her master’s in education. “Education at the graduate level, specifically, means access to these opportunities. Research is a means to better our lives and of our community members. And to advocate for graduate education and research means that we are also advocating for the opportunities and pathways of our students—both current and future—to participate and better ourselves.”
Doughan and Roldan each attended five meetings, including the Senate Judiciary Committee (Minority) for Doughan and the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pension Committee (Majority) for Roldan. The Villanova contingent also participated in meetings with congressional offices including those of Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA), Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY), and Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA).
“These were rich, meaningful conversations that put a student face to the policies being debated,” says Dr. Woodard, who serves as chair of the CGS Advancement Advisory Committee. “Lawmakers appreciated hearing directly from our students—especially their personal stories, which brought urgency and clarity to the issues. It was a powerful reminder that advocacy isn’t just about data; it’s about people. Our students helped demonstrate why continued investment in graduate education matters, not just for individuals, but for the future of our communities.”
For Doughan and Roldan, the experience was both deeply personal and professionally formative.
“One of my goals for graduate school was to learn how to advocate for change,” says Doughan, who is teaching in the School District of Philadelphia this fall after earning his master’s degree in education policy from Villanova. “This gave me direct experience in speaking with policymakers about issues I care about.”
Roldan adds, “Participating in Advocacy Day was meaningful for me as a graduate student because I could see how policy works. It reaffirmed my goal of integrating policy work into my career while advocating for voices that often go unheard.”
The experience solidified each student's desire to pursue careers that blend education and advocacy. “Advocacy doesn’t happen in a vacuum,” Doughan says. “It’s part of a multi-dimensional and inherently social process—something I plan to keep at the center of my professional journey.”
The Council of Graduate Schools serves to advance graduate education and research in the U.S. and globally. It supports that mission through advocacy in the policy arena, innovative research, and the development and dissemination of best practices, according to its website.
About ĂŰĚŇTV’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: Since its founding in 1842, ĂŰĚŇTV’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has been the heart of the Villanova learning experience, offering foundational courses for undergraduate students in every college of the University. Serving more than 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students, the College is committed to fortifying them with intellectual rigor, multidisciplinary knowledge, moral courage and a global perspective. The College has more than 40 academic departments and programs across the humanities, social sciences, and natural and physical sciences.
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