On Thursday, Oct. 10 at 7:00 p.m., Rowan’s Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship (RIPPAC), hosted U.S. New Jersey State Representative Andy Kim in the Enyon Ballroom, to speak about “a vision for America.”

Kim had much to say to the Rowan community and wasted no time getting right to it. He began by speaking about how his parents immigrated here 50 years ago with the idea that a better life was “guaranteed.” 

“The theme of this is a vision for America,” said Kim. “I feel really blessed and humbled that on the 50th anniversary of my parents coming to the United States that I have a shot at being a United States Senator. But now the question is, what’s the next 50 years?” Kim said. “All I want for my kids is the same thing that my parents wanted for me. All I want to do is be able to tell my kids ‘I guarantee you that you will have a better life and more opportunities than me.’ But when I look at what’s happening around the world right now, I’ll be honest with you. I struggle right now because I don’t know if I can look my two kids in the eye and say to them the same thing my parents said to me.” 

The ballroom was silent as Congressman Kim said these words. They had a starkness to them, a tangible fear that people could relate to. 

“When I think about the vision for the next 50 years, I’m dedicating a lot of my time in Congress, and hopefully will continue to dedicate time, focusing on this question of what does American strategic competitiveness mean in this moment? What does American global leadership mean at this moment,” said Kim. “We are in an altogether new paradigm shift moment in global politics, and this moment has yet to be defined…we are moving into a moment of greater challenge.” 

The Congressman then shared some of the actionable steps he has taken to make changes for a more sustainable American future.

“Actions like the bipartisan infrastructure law, making sure we can rebuild our state, rebuild our country, prepare us for what comes next,” said Kim. 

The congressman was able to answer questions that were prepared by students ahead of time, and he focused on hard-hitting subjects like the Israel-Hamas war. 

“The thing that always kept me up the most when working in the Middle East, was this worry about the regional war,” said Kim. “We’re a year out from October 7th and we still have 101 hostages held, a lot that we’ve seen in terms of the sheer destruction of Gaza that is going to take decades to be able to rebuild.”

The Congressman spoke of a long-term solution that would be more durable. 

“Talking about a two-state solution sounds so distant and foreign right now, it feels so intangible in many ways, but that doesn’t mean we give up on the idea. In the broader Middle East, I do think we need to be very careful. When you see what’s going on in Lebanon, I know full well the dangers of Hezbollah. They have not had a president there in two years now, I do think that there’s a moment right now to try to call for new elections for a president.”

 Kim believes this election is vital, and believes it is important for Rowan students to vote this November.

“We definitely need to make sure that people who are running for office are trying to engage and be connected with students more, but I will also say I hope they [students] understand this is something that affects them and that it’s important for us to take ownership over our democracy, and I hope they try to seek out information to learn about different candidates and different issues that are out there and how to mobilize going forward,” said Kim. “[The gen z vote] Is critical. I heard one student tell me ‘I do not know if I’m ever going to be able to afford a house,’ because of student debt and the high cost of housing, people worried about gun violence and women’s reproductive rights– that’s all very much at stake right now and so I hope people understand the importance of getting engaged in politics.” 

RIPPAC also looks forward to hosting Curtis Bashaw, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, on Oct. 14, and Rowan students like Senior, Reilly Kerr are energized by the interest both candidates are taking in student life. 

“I think it was really great. Overall, it was well-intentioned, I think both candidates are gearing up for a great campaign,” said Kerr. “It’s been vital to everything I’ve wanted to do, it’s helped me get every internship I’ve had, I recommend every college student who wants to get civically involved comes out to these programs because coming out to this has been one of the best decisions of my college experience.”

Lila Swietanski, a senior journalism minor, believes speaking to students is an important step for candidates like Congressman Kim.

“It’s absolutely crucial for college students to get out and vote in this election and I think any opportunity we can get especially on campus to speak to candidates directly on their policies and where they stand on things is crucial to informing us as voters,” said Swietanski. “I liked what he [Congressman Kim] said about the division in this country right now, I think that’s a really pressing issue and I think it’s awesome that he addressed that. I also liked how he pointed out that he doesn’t run to talk about the things that he stands for and his agenda but rather tries to listen to what people have to say and make that happen.” 

Another student, Freshman Environmental Science Major Cyrus Marmol, echoed Swietanski’s opinion that it’s important for students to know what’s going on and vote in the upcoming election. He also believes it’s important for students to know our government is not broken. 

“I think it’s super important he [Andy Kim] came to speak to students, as we get closer to this election coming up just to show that as he said, the government is not broken, it’s still functioning. We just have to really push that to this younger generation and show them that we still have people in office that truly understand how to run a correct government,” said Marmol. “Students have to find the right group of people and then respectfully start discussions with people. Groups like the Political Science club you can go there and talk and understand other people’s point of view and develop your own point of view.” 

Regardless of political affiliation, it seemed as though Rowan students found it valuable to hear from a candidate directly. Senior, Malana Homan-Hepner summed up this seemingly shared sentiment. 

“I feel like every time I’ve heard the congressman speak, it’s been a very educational experience. I believe it’s one of the best events I’ve seen,” said Homan-Hepner. 

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