The Massachusetts State House recently opened its doors to more than 150 students from colleges across the Commonwealth. Bentley University was among those represented at the Association of Independent Colleges & Universities in Massachusetts (AICUM) Financial Aid Advocacy Day on February 24, 2014. Over the course of the day, students met with state senators and representatives to persuade them to legislate for increased financial aid and scholarship opportunities. 

House Speaker Robert DeLeo addressed the students who represented nearly 30 AICUM member colleges, “Each of you is critical to the future of the Commonwealth,” he emphasized. “And my hope is that you stay here after you graduate and continue to be part of our dynamic Massachusetts economy.” 

Speaker DeLeo ended with a call to action, urging students to meet with their legislators and share their experiences, “The most important lobbying efforts are by the actual people who are affected. That’s what makes the real difference to lawmakers.”

Following his speech, Speaker DeLeo invited the seven Bentley undergraduate students for a private meeting in his office. The Speaker has a special connection to Bentley; his son is Assistant Professor of Global Studies Robert A. DeLeo.