Hartwick Students Step Into Local Government Roles Rarely Seen Among Undergraduates

Sarah Matumbura ’26, Cooper Cohen ’28 and Hannah Gilliand ’27 currently hold seats on Oneonta’s Human Rights and Community Relations Commission, the Town-Gown Task Force, and the Environmental Board. Their classmate, Jack Reichel ’26, recently completed a term on the city’s Airport Commission. Their service was highlighted Sept. 2 at a Hartwick Institute of Public Service (HIPS) event, where the students took part in a virtual conversation with former Florida Governor Jeb Bush.

According to Hartwick Institute of Public Service co-director and political science professor Laurel Elder, giving students—not faculty—the stage was a deliberate choice.

“Having Hartwick students in conversation with former Governor Bush was a conscious decision,” Elder said. “The students realized they have the experience and stature to hold an engaging, thoughtful conversation with a national political figure. This gives them confidence—and was tremendously inspiring for their peers, fellow Hartwick College students, to see this in action.”

Elder added that the program showcased civil political dialogue across ideological lines. “Governor Bush is a conservative and the students in conversation with him hold a mix of ideologies. Yet, they were all able to have a fascinating, respectful and fun conversation about politics today.”

Matumbura, a double major in criminal justice and accounting, said the immediacy of local government drew her in. “All the decisions that impact you directly happen within the local government,” Matumbura said. “Most people worry about the big changes happening in Congress, but the biggest things affecting them happen in their hometowns.”

Cohen, a triple major in history, sociology and education, was invited by Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek to co-chair the Town-Gown Task Force after attending Common Council meetings as part of a HIPS internship. “I wanted to start doing things that would improve my community,” Cohen said.

Reichel, a political science major, said his time on the Airport Commission gave him valuable early experience. “This was a great opportunity to begin understanding how government functions locally and the impact I could have as an individual,” Reichel said.

For Gilliand, a criminal justice and political science double major, just sworn in as a City of Oneonta Environmental Board member, the appeal is direct access. “Being able to see your elected officials face to face and speak directly about issues is such an important part of our country,” Gilliand said. “ Anyone should be able to be involved within their government and play a meaningful role in what happens around them- and now I get to.”

Launched in 2023, HIPS has registered record numbers of student voters and secured Hartwick’s first on-campus polling place making it possible for students to have a deciding voice in this November’s mayoral and common council races. Elder believes its work is distinctive in higher education.