STARS:
Student Teams Advocating Realistic Solutions
The Student Teams Advocating for Realistic Solutions assist students as they conduct activities in support of higher education. STARS also provides a common student voice and message between all 14 universities.
HOW IT WORKS
STARS Committees work as the lead advocacy voice. Through collaboration and engagement, they highlight the strengths and successes of their unique campus, emphasize the value each campus brings to the State, and profile issues that are critical to Higher Education. The Higher Education Partnership is pleased to support through education, training, and events both on campus and across the State.
STARS Committees are led by a STARS Coordinator, often appointed by the Student Government Association. The STARS Coordinator works with the Partnership to design and implement a comprehensive Advocacy Agenda for their campus that encourages their peers to learn, engage, and advocate. They serve as the campus expert on grassroots organizing, campus engagement, and opportunities to advocate for their university.
Read Below to Find Out About Our Student Programs.
Who's on Your STARS Committee?
STARS Coordinator
Lead organizer for strategic advocacy agenda for the year
Leads planning and execution for Dreams to Reality Advocacy event on Campus
Organizes Higher Education Day effort, representing university
Coordinates STARS Team members to execute all advocacy events
Freshman Coordinator
A sophomore or above who wants to pour into the incoming Freshman Class
Collaborates with statewide peers to design key sessions for Freshman Leadership Conference, hosted by the Higher Education Partnership
Opportunities to attend statewide networking and exploration activities
SGA President
Serve on University Student Government Association Council
Attend university leaders' dinner with legislative committee chairs
Collaborate on statewide messaging in support of Alabama's public universities (Op-Eds)
Recruit participants and mascot for College Colors Day
Campus Organization Contact
A campus leader (potentially not affiliated with SGA) who highlights a key strenght of your university - consider a leader from a specific academic disclipline, ambassadors, or honors college
Serves on planning committee for Leadership Dinner
Leads table at dinner, networking with state and association leaders
Media Coordinator
Serve in press corps for events like College Colors Day and Higher Education Day
Collaborate on digital content highlighting university strengths
Network with communications leaders across the state
Attend local civic organization with Partnership and interview alums for a story to be shared with Partnership
STARS Vice Chair /
Higher Ed Day Lead
Assists STARS Coordinator in executing all advocacy events
Leads recruitment for Higher Education Day
Designs university advocacy materials for Higher Education Day (may include signs, t-shirts, flags or table decorations)
Included in photo ops with state leaders representing the university
STUDENT PROGRAMS
LEARN
ENGAGE
ADVOCATE
STARS Committees work through an Advocacy Agenda that equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills to advocate, provides opportunities to engage with community and State leadership, and advocate with their peers from across the State. The program culminates in Montgomery's largest advocacy event, Higher Education Day.
All student programs are available to Affiliated Membership Groups. Read More here.
To learn more or schedule a program, contact the Partnership at partners@higheredpartners.org.
What does the STARS Committee Do?
STARS Committees work together on campus to plan their university advocacy events for the year. Members of the STARS Committee have the opportunity to attend the Higher Education Partnership's annual events including College Colors Day, Higher Education Day, Dreams to Reality events and more.
Leading a STARS Committee demonstrates your passion for advocacy, refines your leadership skills, provides invaluable networking opportunities and - the best part - makes a difference for the future of Alabama! Your work as a STARS Leader directly demonstrates the value universities bring to the state.
Explore the tabs below to learn more about programming for STARS.
Annual Events
STARS Committees work together to build a strategic advocacy agenda for the school year. Each event is designed to build skills and relationships, culminating in the high energy experience of Montgomery's largest annual advocacy event - Higher Education Day.
