Ten Howard Payne University students traveled to the Texas State Capitol in Austin this spring to take part in the Social Work Student Day at the Legislature. The travelers are students in Dan Humeniuk’s Social Welfare Programs, Policies and Issues course.

“The purpose of the trip was for our students to gain advocacy skills and learn about opportunities for participation in government processes,” said Humeniuk, assistant professor of social work and chair of the Department of Criminal Justice, Social Work and Sociology.

HPU students attended a session with a representative from the Christian Life Commission during which they learned about the legislative process and policy initiatives of the Commission. The class also attended a presentation by Leah Gonzalez, Master of Science in Social Work, who is a 2013 graduate of HPU. While at the Capitol, the students visited with their district representatives to present their concerns with payday and car title loans. The HPU group also toured the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

HPU students in attendance included Bryan Adams, senior from Fort Worth; Leo Baker, sophomore from Lindale; Jaclyn Bonner, junior from Lytle; Melanie Hammond, senior from Springtown; Efrain Garces, junior from Floresville; Brittiny Kelley, junior from Snyder; Shannon Matthews, senior from Brownwood; Shay Pate, senior from Red Oak; MaryClaire Swallow, junior from Midland; and Brittony Walker, junior from Abilene.

Pictured above: HPU students recently visited the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum while in Austin to participate in the Social Work Student Day at the Legislature. Back row, left to right: Bryan Adams, MaryClaire Swallow, Brittony Walker, Efrain Garces and Shay Pate. Front row, left to right: Brittiny Kelley, Jaclyn Bonner, Melanie Hammond, Shannon Matthews and Leo Baker.