August 12, 2026
By: Sean Robins
Over the last year and a half, the pace of change in federal education policy has been relentless. Executive orders, agency actions, court decisions, and major legislation such as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) have reshaped conversations about college access, affordability, and student support.
Through it all, admission professionals, counselors, advisors, and educators have continued to do what they do best: support students as they navigate their pathways to postsecondary education.
Yet even the most dedicated advocates can find themselves asking a difficult question: How do we keep going?
The answer begins with recognizing a simple truth: advocacy is not a sprint; it is a marathon.
In moments like these, it can be tempting to view advocacy as a series of individual battles. A bill is introduced. A regulation is proposed. An action alert is sent. We mobilize, respond, and move on to the next issue.
The most meaningful policy changes in education rarely happen overnight. Expanding access to higher education, strengthening student support programs, increasing financial aid investments, and improving college access have all been the result of years — and often decades — of sustained effort. Progress is often measured not in days or weeks, but across generations of students.
When we view advocacy as a marathon, our focus shifts from reacting to every headline to staying focused on a larger purpose. The goal is not to win every policy debate or see immediate results from every action we take. The goal is to ensure that all students have equitable opportunities to access and succeed in postsecondary education.
This is where advocacy extends beyond contacting lawmakers or tracking legislation.
Advocacy happens every day when a counselor helps a student complete a college application despite significant barriers. It happens when an admission professional takes time to explain financial aid options to a family navigating the process for the first time. It happens when educators create spaces where students feel seen, supported, and empowered to pursue their goals.
Those moments may never make headlines, but they represent some of the most important forms of advocacy in our profession.
The work of advocacy can feel exhausting because we often expect immediate results. Yet most of the policies and programs that support students today — including Pell Grants, TRIO, and Federal Work-Study — exist because advocates remained engaged in the work over years, not weeks. Meaningful change is rarely the result of a single meeting or campaign; it is the product of sustained engagement over time.
As policymakers debate the future of financial aid, college affordability, admissions practices, and student support programs, our responsibility is not simply to respond to the issue of the day. Our responsibility is to consistently elevate the experiences of students and families, ensuring that decision-makers understand how their choices affect real people and real communities.
That consistency matters. Policymakers are often influenced not only by data and policy briefs, but by the real experiences of students, families, and professionals. Sharing those stories consistently helps ensure that education policies reflect the realities facing our communities.
This is where advocacy becomes less about a single moment and more about building a culture of engagement. Sustaining that engagement requires resources, support, and a community invested in the work.
NACAC’s Advocacy Toolkit was created to help members engage in advocacy at every level of experience. Whether you are responding to an action alert, meeting with elected officials, writing an op-ed, or engaging policymakers in your state, the toolkit provides practical resources to help you take the next step.
Like any marathon, effective advocacy requires preparation, persistence, and support. The Advocacy Toolkit was designed to help members build those skills and remain engaged for the long haul.
Perhaps most importantly, it reinforces that advocacy is not reserved for policy experts. No one understands the challenges and opportunities facing students better than the professionals who work alongside them every day. When members share their expertise, experiences, and perspectives, they strengthen our collective voice and help advance educational opportunity.
At its core, advocacy is about showing up for students. Whether that means helping a student navigate the college search, sharing a story with policymakers, or responding to an action alert, each effort contributes to a larger movement focused on expanding opportunity and supporting student success.
Advocacy is a marathon. Progress is rarely measured by a single bill, meeting, or action alert, but by the cumulative impact of showing up, speaking out, and remaining committed to students over time. Every conversation, every student story, and every act of advocacy moves us closer to a future where all students have equitable opportunities to access and succeed in postsecondary education.
Sean Robins is director of advocacy at National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), where he leads federal and state advocacy efforts to advance policies that support college access, affordability, and student success.