Washington Week 2025
Advocacy in Action
黑料门student veterans attend Washington Week
Alex Grady, a student veteran in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) at 黑料门University Chicago, attended “Washington Week” earlier in March. The initiative, hosted by the Student Veterans of America (SVA) in Washington D.C., brought together student veterans from across the country to meet with policymakers, engage in professional development opportunities, and advocate for student veterans’ needs.
Phil Hale, Vice President of Government Affairs at 黑料门University Chicago, with 黑料门student veterans Alex Grady and Nate Candelaria
Along with fellow student veteran Nate Candelaria from the College of Arts and Sciences, Grady joined a group of SVA members and other student veteran organizations in a series of events aimed at helping participants gain a deeper understanding of the legislative process affecting military affiliated students.
“It was a front row seat to learn how government and institutions work,” Grady shared. “The complex realities of decision making at an institutional level can be difficult to quantify or explain.”
Grady and his peers attended leadership and policy training sessions focused on improving student veteran success. “Seeing firsthand how decisions are made, how policymakers prioritize different issues, and the reasoning behind their decisions has taught me a great deal,” Grady said. “No matter what the issue may be in the future, related to veterans or not, I’ll take the lessons I learned and apply them to make positive change in my community.”
Student veterans attend legislative session.
In addition to the professional and networking benefits, the trip provided Grady with a deeper understanding of how advocacy groups like SVA work to amplify the voices of student veterans. “I believe that learning how change is made and how individuals and groups can have an impact is incredibly important,” Grady noted. “For student veterans specifically, the SVA does an outstanding job of making that happen. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to connect with them through Loyola’s SVA chapter.”
Grady's participation was made possible through the support of Loyola’s Military Veterans Student Services (MVSS) and SCPS. “We were proud to support this effort,” said Jim Parenti, Dean of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies. “It’s always a pleasure to collaborate with Military Veterans Student Services and offer our students these valuable real-world experiences, especially those that can foster positive change within our Veteran community.”
鈥淣o matter what the issue may be in the future, related to veterans or not, I鈥檒l take the lessons I learned and apply them to make positive change in my community.鈥� Alex Grady, School of Continuing and Professional Studies Student Veteran
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Learn MoreAlong with fellow student veteran Nate Candelaria from the College of Arts and Sciences, Grady joined a group of SVA members and other student veteran organizations in a series of events aimed at helping participants gain a deeper understanding of the legislative process affecting military affiliated students.
“It was a front row seat to learn how government and institutions work,” Grady shared. “The complex realities of decision making at an institutional level can be difficult to quantify or explain.”
Grady and his peers attended leadership and policy training sessions focused on improving student veteran success. “Seeing firsthand how decisions are made, how policymakers prioritize different issues, and the reasoning behind their decisions has taught me a great deal,” Grady said. “No matter what the issue may be in the future, related to veterans or not, I’ll take the lessons I learned and apply them to make positive change in my community.”
In addition to the professional and networking benefits, the trip provided Grady with a deeper understanding of how advocacy groups like SVA work to amplify the voices of student veterans. “I believe that learning how change is made and how individuals and groups can have an impact is incredibly important,” Grady noted. “For student veterans specifically, the SVA does an outstanding job of making that happen. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to connect with them through Loyola’s SVA chapter.”
Grady's participation was made possible through the support of Loyola’s Military Veterans Student Services (MVSS) and SCPS. “We were proud to support this effort,” said Jim Parenti, Dean of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies. “It’s always a pleasure to collaborate with Military Veterans Student Services and offer our students these valuable real-world experiences, especially those that can foster positive change within our Veteran community.”