From left, Raquel Moskowitz, Melissa Haley, and Megan Thompson at Capitol Hill in Nashville for the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature
Lee University’s political science program sent three students to Nashville for the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature, a forum for the state’s top campus leaders to express their opinions, concerns, and research in recent state legislation.
Raquel Moskowitz, head delegate and senior political science major, won the Carlisle Award, which is historically the most prestigious award given to the top 10 legislators in the House and Senate. Melissa Haley, freshman political science major, won the Best Senator Award. Additionally, Megan Thompson, sophomore English secondary education major, had both of her bills signed by the TISL governor, meaning they passed both the House and Senate.
“I’m so proud of my delegation,” said Ms. Moskowitz. “We worked really hard and it paid off. It was awesome to see other universities look up to us, embrace our legislation, and compliment our efforts. This year was a true success. I’m really excited to see which bills become real laws in Tennessee.”
Once the students were selected by the department, they crafted bills and learned proper parliamentary procedure, strategic lobbying efforts, and skillful debate to prepare for the assembly.
Created in 1966, TISL is an interactive, educational experience shaped to give college students a voice in state government. During the event, student representatives from colleges across Tennessee gather in the State Capitol to introduce, debate, and vote on bills that could affect the future of the state and of the nation.
For more information about TISL General Assembly, visit http://www.tislonline.org/GeneralAssembly/legislature.html. For more information about Lee’s political science program, call 614-8137.
PHOTO: Pictured here (left to right) are Raquel Moskowitz, Melissa Haley, and Megan Thompson at Capitol Hill in Nashville for the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature.