On March 25, 2026, Emily Carchia, a dual-degree Master of Social Work and Master of Public Administration student who worked with SIG as part of the Uzbekistan Center and on AI for Social Good and Society, participated in the Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Research's (CRISP) Social Work Day on the Hill as part of the Young Social Workers Speak panel. Along with social work students from around the country, she joined in a discussion of CRISP Director and Columbia School of Social Work Dr. Charles Lewis's article Politics of Preserving Democracy in a Diverse Society. Exploring how power asymmetry connects to the Constitution’s framers’ original challenge and how ongoing disparities in political influence, economic inequality, and access to participation reflect enduring structural imbalances, Ms. Carchia and her fellow panelists embodied the article’s call for broader civic engagement and more inclusive public discourse.
The following day, Ms. Carchia took part in CRISP's Student Advocacy Day as the Speaker and Programming Lead. The day was focused on lobbing members of Congress about maintaining social work as a professional occupation for student loan purposes, and addressing the topic of federal student loan amounts. In the leadup to the Student Advocacy Day, Ms. Carchia's work on the leadership team involved monthly meetings on the day's themes and getting training about lobbying. She also helped coordinate keynote speaking Jabree Harris, from Color of Change.
"I've had the honor and privilege to be part of the CRISP student advocacy day on the hill leadership team these past few months," said Ms. Carchia of her visit to the Hill. "I'm grateful I was able to share the stage with other young social workers to talk about our role as early career practitioners in moving democracy forward with the skills we learn as social workers. Being on the panel reminded me of the power social workers have when in a room together and the desire to create policy changes that center our clients and communities. The following day as the MC of the event I was struck by the thoughtful insights, questions and strong determination to celebrate our civic systems and improve disparities."