King’s College Student Leaders Explore Advocacy and Education Policy at LEAD 2026

King’s College student government leaders joined regional legislators and community representatives for Legislative Education & Advocacy Day (LEAD) 2026 on Oct. 9 at Mohegan Casino and Convention Center to explore issues shaping their communities and higher education.

Sophia Hahn, president of the King’s College Student Government Association’s Executive Board, and Mann Patel, Executive Board secretary, represented the organization at the event.

Presented in partnership with regional chambers of commerce, LEAD offered attendees opportunities to learn about advocacy at the local and state levels, explore the regional legislative agenda, and connect directly with legislators and representatives.

“I was honored to attend this event on behalf of King’s College and hear from members of our local and state government. I learned so many valuable things that I will take with me as I continue my education and move along in life,” said Hahn.

Topics included artificial intelligence and its role in education. For Patel, a humanities major, the conversation underscored the importance of teaching students to use emerging technology ethically while preserving independent thought and meaningful dialogue.

Patel connected the discussion to an assignment in Dr. Johnson’s Philosophy of Knowledge course at King’s, which asked students to use AI to work through the process of writing a philosophical research paper. Although initially skeptical, Patel came to recognize the assignment’s value in understanding responsible AI use.

“However, upon reflection at the end of the semester, I realized the point of the assignment was to learn how AI can be used ethically. And that is what matters,” said Patel. “Throughout schools, the ethical use of AI must be taught because students are abusing it, and the fact that legislators, policymakers, and influencers are aware of this matter means the world to me. It means the world to me because I study people. People have genuine thoughts. These thoughts cannot be automated.”

The event gave the student leaders an opportunity to connect their classroom and student government experiences with broader policy conversations affecting education and their communities.