The Daily Record names Jocelyn Collins ’16 to VIP Successful by 40 list

Jocelyn Collins ’16 has been named to The Daily Record’s 2020 VIP Successful by 40 List. As Maryland and Washington Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society Action Network, Collins is a lobbyist who is also an advocate.

“From youth, I always loved giving back and making the world a better place,” Collins told The Daily Record. “(As an advocate) I am really ensuring that we are not only making change to better the health and wellbeing of Maryland but making change that is for generations to come.”

A Political Science and International Studies major, Collings served as a legislative aide and legislative director for Del. Elizabeth Proctor and as District 23B Democratic Central committeewoman for Prince George’s County Democratic Central Committee. In her role at the American Cancer Society since 2018, she says her proudest accomplishment was leading the 2019 Tobacco campaign asking for an increase in the age of tobacco product sales to 21 which became law in October. She also is co-chair of the National Black Caucus and co-director and board member for the Maryland chapter, according to The Daily Record.

Collins’ passion for public service was evident during her years on the Hill. She served as an intern for Maryland State Sen. Katherine Klausmeier during the 2015 legislative session, Jan. 12–April 13, in Annapolis, Md. Little more than a month later, she began her seven-week internship on Capitol Hill in D.C. with Sen. Ben Cardin — with the bonus of working with Cardin legislative assistant and 2009 McDaniel alum Mike Thomas.

“One of the memories I will never forget from this internship is being able to sit in on an Environment and Public Works business meeting regarding the DRIVE ACT and hearing my talking points read by Senator Cardin,” Collins, who is from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, said in 2015. “It has also been amazing to be given the opportunity to contribute to floor speeches for the Senator and offer my suggestions on legislation.”

While still a student interning in the Maryland General Assembly, Collins wrote press releases, wrote interview questions and responses, and monitored and controlled Klausmeier’s social media sites, ultimately increasing social media followers by 40 percent. She also prepared testimony, policy memos, written/oral statements and talking points, conducted research in preparation for bill proposals, contributed to the amending of legislation, presented testimony for Senate bills, drafted correspondence, worked on mailings, tracked bills, contacted witnesses, attended committee hearings and responded to constituent inquiries, prepared newsletters and conducted Baltimore County Delegation meetings.

“From youth, I always loved giving back and making the world a better place.” - Jocelyn Collins '16 in The Daily Record

Collins was honored by Klausmeier and thanked by Maryland Senate President Mike Miller — and was named outstanding intern. A particularly rewarding experience came after she presented testimony on three bills at the Maryland General Assembly.

“After presenting testimony on SB467, the father whose child this bill directly affects came up to me and Senator Klausmeier and thanked me for presenting the testimony,” Collins said of the bill that establishes the Newborn Screening Program Fund, which is administered by the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene, to cover administrative, laboratory, and follow-up costs associated with performing newborn screening tests. “Not only did I feel honored presenting this testimony on behalf of Senator Klausmeier, but I also felt like I was a part of making a change in Maryland.”

In Cardin’s office she worked hand in hand with his staff to block a possible reduction in Title I funding for the lowest income learners in the state’s K-12 education system and prevent the potential loss of ROTC programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Maryland. She also aided staff in monitoring amendments that could have potentially damaged Maryland's workforce, during the Senate's consideration of the fiscal year 2016 National Defense Authorization bill.

Both senators applauded Collins’ passion and commitment to the people of Maryland. A passion and commitment that continues to this day.

Read more at https://thedailyrecord.com/2020/09/16/jocelyn-collins/