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From Revolution to Practice: Congress in Action
Eagleton is pleased to present the Albert J. Lewitt Lecture Series, From Revolution to Practice: Congress in Action. Join a panel of RU alumni who serve or have served as congressional staffers for a discussion on the evolving role of Congress in shaping American democracy, followed by a conversation with Congresswoman Bonnie W. Coleman. The event will be held in person at the Wood Lawn Mansion on Thursday, February 20th at 5:00 pm followed by a reception at 6:30 pm.
Additionally, Congressman Thomas Kean, Jr. will speak as part of this series in an afternoon session from 1:00 – 2:00 pm. This event is presented as part of the Albert W. Lewitt Endowed Lecture Series, an annual lecture delivered by a current or former Member of Congress, a congressional staffer, or an expert on Congress. The series was established in memory of Albert W. Lewitt who worked on Capitol Hill in the 1940s.
Meet the Panelists:
Iyanla Kollock is a Policy Advisor for Representative Shomari Figures, where she leads his legislative team and oversees his work on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Iyanla plays a key role in shaping policy for the committee and guiding the Congressman’s legislative agenda. A graduate of Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Iyanla earned her B.A. in Criminal Justice with a minor in Political Science, and was a sprinter on the Rutgers Women’s Track and Field team. Prior to her current role, she served as a Legislative Assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives, specializing in financial services and healthcare policy. With experience working for two members of the Financial Services Committee, Iyanla has developed a strong understanding of financial services policy and the operations of Congress. In addition to her legislative work, Iyanla has been deeply involved in the Congressional Black Associates (CBA), serving as Vice President and Director of Social Engagement. CBA is one of the largest staff associations on Capitol Hill, focused on advocating for the social, political, and economic advancement of Black staffers in Congress.
Anthony Marcum is a Clinical Teaching Fellow at Georgetown Law’s Federal Legislation Clinic. Previously, he served as Counsel to U.S. Senator Ben Sasse. Before that, he was a Resident Fellow at the R Street Institute, where his research focused on the federal judiciary and separation of powers. While at R Street, he also served as an Adjunct Professor at George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management. Earlier in his career, Anthony was a litigation associate in Michigan and a law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University, J.D. from Rutgers Law School, and LL.M. from Georgetown Law School.
Michael Piquero joined the Lobbyit team as Director of Government Relations in May 2024. Prior to this, he served as Counsel and Legislative Assistant to Rep. H. Morgan Griffith (VA-9), managing a diverse legislative policy portfolio that encompassed health, defense, foreign affairs, veterans’ affairs, judiciary, science, space, technology, and appropriations. His contributions to various legislative initiatives, including the National Defense Authorization Act, FISA reform, stillborn research funding, and veterans’ health, are a testament to his unwavering commitment. Before his time on Capitol Hill, Michael honed his legal skills as an Attorney-Advisor for the U.S. Office of Special Counsel. In this role, he was directly involved in engaging with federal regulations, investigating whistleblower legal claims, and managing the process of resolving cases or pursuing prosecution. This experience provided Michael with a deep understanding of the Executive Branch, as the whistleblowers’ issues he dealt with spanned across a wide range of U.S. Federal Agencies.
Isaac Velez is pursuing his Juris Doctor at Duke University School of Law as a recipient of the Lender Family Duke Law Scholarship. He holds a Master of Public Policy and a Bachelor of Science in Public Policy from Rutgers University, where he was selected as an Eagleton Institute of Politics Undergraduate Associate and Graduate Fellow, a Ralph W. Voorhees Public Service Fellow, and the student speaker for his undergraduate convocation ceremony. Professionally, Isaac has served as a Health Policy Aide to Senator Bernie Sanders, during his Chairmanship of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. Before this work, Isaac was a Legislative Intern for the Democratic staff of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce led by Ranking Member Frank Pallone (NJ-6). Isaac was also a Policy Fellow for New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, a Government and Public Services Scholar at Deloitte Consulting, and has written for think tanks including the Brooking Institution and Results for America. Isaac is actively involved in his community as a member of the Latin American Law Students Association and the Innocence Project. Isaac’s professional and academic work reflects his objective to advance the interests of working-class families through law and policy.
This program is provided in partnership with RevolutionNJ as part of the Albert W. Lewitt Endowed Lecture Series.
*Parking registration is required. Attendees must register and park in lots 714, 76 & 82.