Brookdale Community College graduate trustee Montez Swartz recently joined student leaders, alumni, trustees, and presidents from across New Jersey at the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) National Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C., advocating for expanded access to higher education and economic opportunity.

During the summit, a delegation of more than 50 leaders representing 13 New Jersey community colleges met with members of the state’s congressional delegation and their senior staff to ensure that the voices of students and communities were part of federal policy discussions.

One memorable moment came when Cory Booker joined the delegation and recorded a video recognizing their efforts. In the video, Booker praised the group’s advocacy, saying they are “fighting not just for Jersey, but… for making America fairer, with more opportunity and economic freedom for more of its people.”

Swartz was among a group of student and alumni leaders whose perspectives helped highlight the value of community colleges and the importance of continued federal investment in education and workforce development.

Their participation reflects the growing role students and recent graduates play in shaping policy conversations that impact access to higher education and opportunity across the nation.