水果派

U.S. Congressmember Sydney Kamlager-Dove visited Mount Saint Mary’s University’s Doheny Campus on August 27 for a roundtable conversation with 11 student leaders and one recent alumna about higher education, civic engagement, workforce development, leadership, and the issues shaping their communities.

Representing California’s 37th Congressional District, which includes the Mount’s Doheny Campus, Rep. Kamlager-Dove met with students for a candid exchange about their experiences, priorities and aspirations. The conversation gave students an opportunity to share their perspectives directly with a member of Congress, ask questions and reflect on how civic engagement and public service can help address issues that matter to them and their communities.

"It was a pleasure speaking with passionate students at Mount Saint Mary’s about the issues that matter most to them and their communities. I left our conversation even more inspired to fight for a future where every young person has the freedom and opportunity to thrive,” said Rep. Kamlager-Dove. "As the Policy Co鈥慍hair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, I know how vital it is for young women to see real representation and to feel supported as they step into civic and public life. The Mount is leading the way by empowering young women from diverse backgrounds to become the next generation of leaders, and I am proud to see that work happening right here in our district.”

Students brought a range of perspectives to the discussion, drawing on their experiences in the classroom, on campus and in their communities.

“It was exciting and meaningful to be able to have a direct conversation with a member of Congress,” said Madison Crannell, a junior majoring in biochemistry. “I think there can be this idea that elected officials are very removed from students and everyday people, so having the opportunity to ask questions and hear her perspective was eye-opening. It made me feel like students aren’t just observers of what is happening in our country, we can actually be part of the conversation.”

For Brooke Fadipe ’26, a recent Mount graduate, the discussion offered a reminder that students and young professionals have an important role to play in civic life.

“I left the conversation feeling encouraged and more confident about using my voice,” Brooke said. “It was reassuring to be reminded that young people have a place in these conversations and that our questions and perspectives matter. Overall, the experience made me want to stay more informed and find more ways to be involved in my community.”

The exchange also helped students see how their experiences connect to policy decisions at the local, state and national levels.

“After meeting with Rep. Kamlager-Dove, I feel more encouraged and empowered to engage with my local and state representatives,” said Sammarah Klug, a junior majoring in political science. “I also feel more confident in using my voice and staying involved in issues that affect my community.”

Rep. Kamlager-Dove has represented California’s 37th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2023. She is a nationally recognized voice on foreign affairs, civil rights and economic justice. She serves on the House Judiciary Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee and is Whip of the Congressional Black Caucus, Co-Chair of the Congressional Brazil Caucus and Policy Co-Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus.

Before joining Congress, Rep. Kamlager-Dove spent nearly a decade in local and state government, including service in the California State Assembly and State Senate. She previously served on the Los Angeles Community College District Board and the Los Angeles County Commission on Children and Families.

The visit reinforced the value of creating opportunities for students to engage directly with leaders and policymakers.

For Ephrata Tesfaye, a senior majoring in healthcare policy, the conversation strengthened her commitment to civic engagement and advocacy and left her feeling more confident in the value of her own voice.

“As a student studying healthcare policy, I was reminded of the responsibility and privilege that come with higher education and the importance of using that knowledge to advocate for others and create positive change,” she said.