UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Every Monday, more than 40 University Park students gather in the Willard Building to learn about advocacy, connect with legislators, and find ways to support their fellow Penn Staters.
They are members of Lion Caucus, Penn State’s official student advocacy organization connected to the Office of Government and Community Relations.
“The mission of Lion Caucus demonstrates that students not only have a vested interest in funding for Penn State but also that a Penn State education is invaluable to the continued success of the commonwealth,” said Jude York, Lion Caucus president. “As college students, we are the future of this great state, and we deserve the opportunity to receive an education that will give us the tools to aid in its continued growth.”
Along with community advocacy campaigns, Lion Caucus engages students and governmental audiences through Meet the Legislator Events, Talks with [state Rep. Paul] Takac, and other professional development opportunities.
While many Lion Caucus members tend to have an interest in political science, students come from a wide range of backgrounds, majors and skill sets.
Advocacy in action
Lion Caucus was established because there was a need for student voices in the University’s engagement with governmental audiences at all levels.
“For almost a decade, Lion Caucus has helped us effectively engage legislators and advocate for funding and issues critical to Penn State,” said Mike Stefan, vice president for government and community relations. “They are a passionate and thoughtful group of students who bring an important student perspective to conversations with elected officials at the local, state and federal levels.”
Capital Day in Harrisburg, the University’s single-largest day of advocacy, which highlights the impact of state funding for Penn State and its students, is an important event each year for Lion Caucus.
To lead the advocacy effort within the student body, Lion Caucus members conduct research, mock interviews, and create messaging to help student advocates effectively advocate for the University and their peers during the annual action campaign.
Students build on their advocacy leadership through Capital Day on Campus, an event that engages University Park students to directly message state leaders requesting they support critical state funding that benefits Penn State students.
Recently, Lion Caucus expanded its work to speak up for even more students through the Fall Advocate Festival, which educates students about federal student aid programs like Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, and Federal Work Study, which combined benefit nearly 20,000 Penn State students annually.
Both events feature Penn State giveaways, student and administration impact stories, and Penn State spirit.
Student leadership
Lion Caucus’ work extends beyond advocacy campaigns to create meaningful connections between students and policymakers.
Lion Caucus partners with various units and organizations on campus like the McCourtney Institute for Democracy, University Park Undergraduate Association, and the Liberal Arts Undergraduate Council, to host Meet the Legislator events, where they engage with local, state and federal officials in conversation about matters important to students.
Last year, the group hosted a Meet the Legislative Staff event, a new event featuring several alumni who work in local, state and federal offices to talk about their experiences.
“Outreach, both internally and externally, is essential to the success of Lion Caucus because effective advocacy starts with people knowing who we are, what we stand for, and how they can get involved,” said Wyatt Corbin, director of outreach for Lion Caucus. “Internally, outreach helps build a strong organization by keeping members, students and campus organizations connected to Lion Caucus and its mission. It allows us to hear different perspectives, increase involvement, and build support for our advocacy efforts. Externally, outreach helps us build relationships beyond campus with alumni, community members, and government leaders. By maintaining these connections, Lion Caucus can expand its network, strengthen its credibility, and create more opportunities to advocate for Penn State.”
Student involvement
Lion Caucus is a student-led organization at all levels.
The executive board, which leads the organization's weekly meetings and semester-long projects, features seven positions filled by students who are in their second to fourth years at Penn State:
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Jude York – President
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Wade Collins – Vice President
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Wyatt Corbin – Director of Outreach
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Alivia Reid-Pitta – Director of Communications
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Ella Bartnik – Secretary
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Nick Petrucci – Treasurer
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Danny Hoffman – THON Chair
Students have more opportunities to get involved beyond the executive board through vice chair and student body liaison positions.
“With college costs continuing to rise year over year, publicly funded universities have a responsibility to offer affordable, world-class education to students,” York said. “However, state funding is not a guarantee. Students need to continue to make their voices heard so that legislators understand the value of a Penn State degree and ensure that our university remains an affordable, elite institution of higher education.”
Lion Caucus will be looking to welcome a new class of student advocates this fall. Interested students should look for the Lion Caucus booth at the Fall 2026 Student Involvement Fair, set for noon to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1, and Wednesday, Sept. 2, in the HUB-Robeson Center, or by visiting govt.psu.edu/lioncaucus.