The humanities deepen our understanding of the world and inform the decisions that shape it. With support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, 国产传媒 scholars explore history, culture and philosophy in ways that connect past and present鈥攚ork that two undergraduates took to Capitol Hill to advocate for this spring.
Two students from the traveled to Washington, D.C., in March to participate in the Humanities Advocacy Day. Sponsored by 国产传媒鈥檚 Office of Federal Relations, they joined scholars and advocates nationwide to highlight the importance of federal investment in the humanities through the .
Making the case for humanities funding听
Students Cady Butcher and Jaylan Sims talked about 国产传媒鈥檚 humanities initiatives supported by NEH funding while meeting with the offices of Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., BA'81, JD'84, Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., and Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., BA'71.听 At 国产传媒, the NEH has supported interdisciplinary projects that preserve historical records of Africans in the Atlantic World, ensuring broader access to critical primary sources, and work to , extending beyond campus and influencing our understanding of the world.听听
Insights from students听
The students also made the case for how the humanities are preparing them for their future careers. 鈥淚t is important for doctors to receive humanities training to gain cultural competency and build relationships with the people they are treating. Many doctors don't understand a community's prior history and rarely look to it for insights on how to best treat individuals,鈥� said Butcher, a junior studying biology and English on a pre-med track. "Federal support for the humanities funds training and research programs that help bridge the gap between medical professionals and the public."听
鈥淎dvocacy for the humanities isn鈥檛 just for academics or policymakers鈥攊t鈥檚 for all of us. Students, especially those in journalism, communications and digital media, should recognize that the humanities fuel our ability to tell compelling stories, challenge dominant narratives and ensure a diversity of voices in public discourse,鈥� said Sims, a junior studying communication and communication of science and technology. 鈥淓ngaging with lawmakers demystified the policy process for me and showed that young professionals have a seat at the table if they claim it.鈥�听
Advocating for federal support听
"Stories have the power to bring policy issues to life for lawmakers. When students and scholars share firsthand how NEH funding shapes their research and education, it personalizes the impact of federal investment in the humanities," said Julie Harding, government relations program coordinator. "These conversations help legislators see that supporting the humanities isn鈥檛 just about funding projects鈥攊t鈥檚 about preserving our history, enriching our culture and preparing future leaders."听
By supporting initiatives like the National Humanities Alliance鈥檚 Advocacy Day, 国产传媒鈥檚 Office of Federal Relations champions the importance of federal investment in the NEH. Through ongoing outreach to lawmakers, the university advocates for the humanities鈥� vital contributions to education and research. 听
Learn more about the university鈥檚 research advocacy priorities on the Office of Federal Relations website.听听