In mid-June, UC President Michael V. Drake, M.D. traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate on behalf of the University of California and its students.
A highlight of his visit was a White House meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as discussions with her Senior Domestic Policy Advisor Carmel Martin and Department of Education Undersecretary James Kvaal.
President Drake shared his strong convictions for the importance of college access and the role of federal financial aid — specifically the need for Congress to double the Pell Grant. He also advocated for investments in student basic needs and support for the university’s research enterprise and health care services.
While in the capitol, President Drake attended an informal dinner at the UC Washington Center (aka UCDC) with UC Washington Program Executive Director Tanya Golash-Boza and some of the UC students who are living at the center while interning this summer. President Drake praised the students for their role in illustrating the power of public service to bring about lasting change. He answered student questions about his experiences as president, UC’s efforts to make college more affordable for middle-class families and his role as an advocate for the university with lawmakers in Washington.
For more up-to-date news on President Drake, follow him on Twitter: @UCPrezDrake.
It was a privilege to meet with @VP Harris while in Washington, DC last week! Thank you to the Biden-Harris administration for its commitment to making #HigherEd more affordable & accessible, including efforts to #DoublePell. (Photo Credit: Lawrence Jackson, The White House.) pic.twitter.com/qE9TBc387L
— Michael V. Drake (@UCPrezDrake) June 21, 2023
While in Washington, DC this month, I met with @UofCalifornia students who are working there this summer and advancing the University’s public service mission. For many of them, these experiences are life-changing – I can’t wait to see what they do next. #UCinDC pic.twitter.com/BQ8O08rp2w
— Michael V. Drake (@UCPrezDrake) June 21, 2023