NYPIRG

I am currently working as the Project Leader of the Higher Education Affordability campaign with
NYPIRG. This semester our focus is on stemming rapidly growing tuition prices in CUNY and SUNY
schools, and fighting for the passage of the DREAM Act. Responsibilities as Project Leader include:
visiting classrooms to speak about our campaigns, recruiting members, and assembling meetings and
seminars to research for our campaigns and brainstorm methods in which to gain the attention of
local and state officials. Through this internship, I have enhanced my public speaking skills, and am
learning the characteristics of advocacy outreach, including drafting letters to government officials
and organizing events such as educational movie screenings and phone banking. Becoming a member
on NYPIRG’s Board of Directors will allow me to put the skills I’ve developed in advocacy work to
broader use.

Becoming a member on NYPIRG’s Board of Directors would open many doors for me. The strong
background it provides in advocacy work will allow me to further develop skills within the realm
of public policy and NYC politics, and eventually, acquire a job in the political setting. I would be
honored to take the next step in becoming more involved with NYPIRG.

melisa.tekin@macaulay.cuny.edu