FREE FOR MEMBERS

As ACPA’s Task Force for Public Policy and Governmental Affairs releases its new self-advocacy document, this introductory webinar invites members to move from awareness to action. Participants will learn foundational (101-level) skills for effective citizen-advocacy — including how to communicate with elected officials, frame higher education issues for non-expert audiences, and organize personal outreach around a specific ask. The session will also address the role elections play in shaping higher education policy, emphasizing nonpartisan civic engagement practices such as understanding key election dates, knowing how to register and vote, and recognizing how electoral outcomes at various levels of government influence issues affecting students and the profession. This session does not endorse any candidate, party, or platform; its purpose is strictly educational. These skills will be connected directly to current calls to action from ACPA and the broader higher education community, giving participants concrete, immediate opportunities to practice what they learn. Whether you’re new to advocacy or looking to sharpen your approach, this webinar will equip you with practical tools to advocate effectively for the students and profession you serve.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Identify the core components of an effective advocacy message.
• Describe at least two channels for engaging elected officials or policymakers.
• Explain why elections at various levels of government matter to higher education policy, from a nonpartisan perspective.
• Apply these skills to at least one current call to action from ACPA or the higher education community.