I first discovered NYPIRG, New York Public Interest Research Group, through my fellow ex housemate Candice Jaimungal. She was the one of the Board Directors here at SUNY Cortland and still is. I always knew she was a part of a not for profit organization because she was always posting things around campus, going to events, and asking us to help her with things related to this organization. NYPIRG serves as a liaison between students and politics. We work on many issues surrounding the rights of voters, consumers, environmental issues, Higher Education, democracy, public health and much more.

My first hands-on experience with NYPIRG was at the Higher Education Affordability Lobbying Day in Albany, NY. This was an experience that I will forever cherish. This was my first time getting an inside look on politics within education. This was also my first time looking at the NYS budget that goes towards higher education and to see how this truly effects us students.

We were successful with the freeze of tuition! NYPIRG was a key instrument in this outcome. It was a great experience.

After that day I knew that I wanted to be a part of something so dynamic and impactful. I had the power to make change. I ran to be a Board Director for the following semester and got in and I also interned with them. I got a chance to get out of my comfort zone and meet a bunch of GREAT people. Some friends that I made from this experience include, Sarah, Sharron, Candice, Sky, Avery, Lee, Tammie, Victoria, Rani, Rob, Malik and much, much more.

I made friends who shared controversial opinions and actually cared about the things that I do. I made friends that care about energy and water conservation and was vehemently proactive during the election, they care about the Native Americans up at Standing Rock, they care about divestment. They care about all the things WE should care about. My friends back at home and other friends I had were not really concerned about the bigger picture and what was happening.

It is important to have friends who expose you to different things and who actually want to change the world. You will learn from them and they will learn from you. It’s important to have friends who make you think, and may be “smarter” than you, and who stimulate your mind because we all need to grow. It’s important to surround yourself around people who have positive attitudes, people who ask questions, and people who have dreams. Take time to filter out the negativity. Re evaluate the relationships in your life. The friends I made in NYPIRG have impacted my life in many ways.

They inspire me to want more and to voice my opinions when I believe that things are wrong, to go out and be an advocate for the things I believe in and to most importantly- keep fighting.