Policy Seminar 2023
Marching Towards One Million
This year, the Council for Opportunity in Education’s annual Policy Seminar, Sunday, March 19 through Wednesday, March 22, includes three events: the Leadership Summit, the Seminar on Relations with the U.S. Department of Education, and the Legislative Conference. For individuals participating in Policy Seminar, COE strongly encourages online registration via the registration button below. Download the paper registration form here.
Testimonials from past attendees:
- “Policy Seminar is a game-changer, these advocacy skills are incredibly transferable. These kinds of experiences can totally enhance your professional development–even though they’re kind of intimidating.”
- “Your attendance at Policy Seminar makes a difference! Even if you are awed by the political process, take the step forward and be willing to use your voice for your students. TRIO has many mentors who would love to help you with the process.”
- “You will not be disappointed! Policy Seminar is true advocacy in action, visiting the Hill offices as a group is extremely valuable. My favorite COE event!”
- “Policy Seminar is where you experience firsthand the importance in personally advocating for and providing a voice on behalf of your students!”
Accommodations
The Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill is now sold out. Contact A Room With A View to make your reservations.
The Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill is now sold out. Please contact COE’s housing agent, A Room With A View, to assist you with overflow hotel options. Representatives will secure the lowest available rates at the best available hotels within walking distance of the Hyatt Regency hotel. Contact A Room With A View via phone at 1 (800) 780-4343, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET; or via e-mail at [email protected].
- Please identify yourself with COE, stating the dates your require when sending e-mail, and representatives will guide you through an easy process.
- If cancellations do occur at the Hyatt Regency, representatives will contact you to ask if you wish to transfer back.
- In addition, if you have a reservation at the Hyatt Regency and wish to cancel it, please call A Room With A View to do so. Instead of cancelling the reservation, representatives can transfer it to another attendee by changing the name and credit card on the reservation.
overview
This year, COE’s annual Policy Seminar includes three events: the Leadership Summit, the Seminar on Relations with the U.S. Department of Education, and the Legislative Conference.
agenda
Download the tentative Leadership Summit agenda here.
- 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. – Registration
- 10:00–11:00 a.m. — Opening Plenary
- 11:15 a.m.–12:30 p.m. — COE ED Talks
- 12:30–1:45 p.m. — Luncheon and Executive Leadership Institute Group Presentations
- 2:00–4:00 p.m. — Breakout Sessions
- 4:15–5:00 p.m. — Reception and Executive Leadership Institute Poster Presentations and Pinning Ceremony
Download the tentative Seminar on Relations with the U.S. Department of Education agenda here.
- 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. – Registration
- 10:00–11:00 a.m. — Remarks from leadership at the U.S. Department of Education, Assistant Secretary of the Office of Postsecondary Education Dr. Nasser Paydar (Invited)
- 11:15 a.m.–12:30 p.m. — Breakout sessions with U.S. Department of Education program officers
- 12:45–2:00 p.m. — Luncheon featuring remarks from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Student Service, Senior Director Gaby Watts (Invited)
- 2:00–8:00 p.m. — Legislative Conference Registration
- 2:15–3:30 p.m. — Breakout sessions with U.S. Department of Education program officers (continued)
- 3:45–5:00 p.m. — Professional development sessions with COE (Topics TBD)
- 6:30–7:15 p.m. — Orientation for Hill Team Leaders
- 7:30–8:15 p.m. — Opening Legislative Conference Session: Marching Towards One Million
Download the tentative Legislative Conference agenda here.
- 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. — Registration
- 9:00–10:00 a.m. — The Insider’s View of Capitol Hill: An Interview with House Clerk and TRIO Alumna Cheryl Johnson
- 10:00–11:00 a.m. — Higher Education in the Biden Administration’s FY24 Budget Proposal, featuring U.S. Department of Education Under Secretary James Kvaal
- 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. — From Grassroots to Hilltops: Mobilizing for Student Access and Success
- 12:00–2:00 p.m. — Lunch (On Your Own)
- 2:00–3:00 p.m. — Working with Members of Congress: The Staff Perspective
- 3:00–3:45 p.m. — Capitol Hill Talking Points Overview
- 3:45–4:05 p.m. — Break
- 4:05–4:45 p.m. — State In-Person Meetings
- 5:00–5:45 p.m. — The Conscience of the Congress: Remarks from TRIO Alumnus and Chair of the Congressional Caucus The Honorable Steven Horsford (D-NV-04)
- 6:00–6:45 p.m. — State In-Person Meetings, Round 2
Download the tentative Legislative Conference agenda here.
- 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. — Visits to Congressional Offices
- 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. — Information Table
- SPECIAL TIME: 9:00–9:45 a.m. – From the Frontlines to Congress: Remarks from Military Veteran and House Appropriator The Honorable Tony Gonzales (R-TX-23)
- 4:00-6:00 p.m. — Regional Presidents Debrief Preparation
- 6:30–7:15 p.m. — Hill Debriefing and Closing Rally
Accommodations
Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill
400 New Jersey Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 737-1234
Fax: (202) 737-5773
The Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill Hotel is now sold out. Please contact A Room With A View for information about the official designated COE overflow hotel via phone at 1 (800) 780-4343 or email at re[email protected]. Always state the dates you require when sending e-mail.
additional info
Important Note: All congressional meetings will be held in-person on Capitol Hill unless no one from a Congressional District is physically present at the Legislative Conference. For questions, please contact Zach Farmer at [email protected].
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Policy Seminar 2023: What Happens, Why It’s Important, and How to Pay For It
COE’s Policy Seminar is an annual event that brings advocates for low-income, first-generation students served by the TRIO programs to Capitol Hill. The event also includes professional development, leadership training, and alumni engagement events designed to enhance the work of college access and success professionals with their students and institutions. While you may cover some portions of the Policy Seminar with grant funding, other parts, you may not use those funds to cover the lobbying activities in preparation for meetings on Capitol Hill. Yet, such work is critical to ensuring the survival and growth of TRIO. During this free webinar, TRIO veterans will discuss what happens during the Policy Seminar and how to identify different ways to fund your participation.
Pricing
Full-Price Registration
Policy Seminar: (Leadership Summit, ED Seminar, and Leg. Conf.) | Policy Seminar: (ED Seminar and Leg. Conf. ) | Leadership Summit and ED Seminar | ED Seminar Only | Leadership Summit and Leg. Conf | Leg. Conf. Only | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
For Members | $925 | $725 | $725 | $625 | $695 | $495 |
For Non-members | $1,075 | $875 | $950 | $750 | $695 | $495 |
Additional Registrations
Legislative Conference Only | |
|---|---|
TRIO Alumni* | $200 |
Retiree | $200 |
Registration Instructions and Deadlines
For individuals participating in Policy Seminar, online registration at coenet.org is strongly encouraged. Online registrants will receive an immediate receipt.
All registrations not completed online must include a credit card payment, check, or purchase order to be accepted.
The registration fees include all conference sessions and materials. The cost for the Seminar on Relations with the U.S. Department of Education provides coffee and rolls in the morning, plus a luncheon. The price for Leadership Summit includes brunch.
Special Discounts: If you attended last year’s Legislative Conference and bring a newcomer this year, the newcomer can register for half their regular registration rate (member or nonmember). These registration forms must be submitted by fax at the same time. There is no online registration option for this special offer.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This half-price discount applies only if you register for Legislative Conference only. Suppose you register for both the Legislative Conference and the Seminar on Relations with the U.S. Department of Education. In that case, the half-price discount will only be applied to the Legislative Conference portion. If you bring a member of your institution’s Government Relations staff or campus institutional leadership, their registration for the Legislative Conference only is also half of their regular registration price. This does not include the Seminar with the Department of Education. Registration for this special discount must be submitted by fax—there is no online registration for this special offer.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This half-price discount applies only if you register for Legislative Conference only. Suppose you register for the Legislative Conference and the Seminar on Relations with the U.S. Department of Education. In that case, the half-price discount will only be applied to the Legislative Conference portion.
Refund Policy
Registration fees paid in advance are refundable (less the processing fee of $250) if written notice of cancellation is received/faxed on or before Tuesday, February 28, 2023. No refund requests will be accepted after this date. All refunds will be made after the seminars. Return by mail or fax to: Council for Opportunity in Education; P.O. Box 742282; Atlanta, GA 30374; FAX: (202) 628-3726.
Get in Touch
Questions? Contact Director of Congressional Affairs Zach Farmer.
Diane Shust
Vice President, Public Policy [email protected]
Zach Farmer
Director, Congressional Affairs
[email protected]
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