in Advancing Texas
The future of democracy depends on youth civic leadership today.
Mission & Vision
SEAT is a movement of young people developing transferable skills and demonstrating youth visibility in policymaking.
Advocating for a seat at the table, SEAT is normalizing the presence of students in educational policymaking – nothing about us, without us.
We strive for a day where students speaking at school board meetings is a norm, not an anomaly. Every news article about education or school policies should include students. Education-related legislation should involve students in the policymaking process. Grantmaking should include more student-led initiatives. These are the cultural shifts we are driving so every student can hold agency in our education.
Approach
Leadership Programs
Led entirely by high school and college students, SEAT's peer-led programs include fellowships and our annual statewide advocacy summits.
Coalition Building
SEAT engages on the frontlines of school boards, the state legislature, Congress, and in courts to ensure everyone has a seat at the table.
Community Engagement
As student voices, SEAT leverages storytelling for social transformation to build bridges between people and the policies impacting them.
A movement of students
Students are the primary stakeholders in education. With 300+ members, SEAT empowers intergenerational partnerships in shaping decisions affecting youth.
Developing transferable skills
The future of our democracy depends on youth civic leadership. SEAT is a peer-mentor network fostering confidence, efficacy, and innovative careers in public service.
Demonstrating youth visibility
Students are not only leaders of tomorrow: we are change makers tackling today's Texas-sized issues. SEAT elevates student perspectives in real-world policymaking.
Leadership Team
Cameron Samuels
Executive Director, Co-Founder
Hayden Cohen
State Policy Director, Co-Founder
Grace Ding
Research Director
Ayaan Moledina
Federal Policy Director
Sumya Paruchuri
Development Director
Christianna Thomas
Programs Director
Azeemah Sadiq
Senior Policy Director
Ngoc Ho
Programs Associate
Valentina Rivas Labarca
Engagement Associate
Alissa Sundrani
Engagement Associate
Coalitions
SEAT is a member of the following:
Student Action Network for Equity, Seek Common Ground
Teach The Truth Coalition, Texas Freedom Network
Right to Read Network, National Coalition Against Censorship
Texas Legislative Education Equity Coalition, IDRA
Ethnic Studies for Texas Coalition, Ethnic Studies Network of Texas
Texas Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, Texas Gun Sense
Defense of Democracy Coalition
Unite Against Book Bans, American Library Association
#YouthInGov Coalition
Democracy 2025, Democracy Forward
Right to Read Alliance, Authors Against Book Bans
Anti-Lege Lege Club, MOVE Texas
Cross-State College Free Expression Coalition, PEN America
Education Civil Rights Alliance, National Center for Youth Law
SEAT has been represented in the following:
Incubator, BRIDGE Movements
RISE 25 Fellowship, Rise Action Fund
Princeton Prize in Race Relations, Princeton University
Carnegie Young Leaders, Institute for Citizens & Scholars
Call for Kindness, Riley's Way
21 Under 21 Revolutionary Youth, Teen Vogue
20 Under 20 Changemakers, GLAAD
Honorary Trendsetter Grand Marshals, Houston Pride 365
Executive Council, Team ENOUGH
National Student Council, GLSEN
National Teen Board, Beyond Differences
Youth Advisory Board, IDRA
No Data About Us Without Us Fellowship, Edgelands Institute
Youth Assessment and Accountability Committee, National Urban League
Student Advocates for Speech, National Coalition Against Censorship
Advisory Council, National Coalition Against Censorship
Programs Team & Fellowship, AliefVotes
Student Advisory Council, Texas State Board of Education