UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Tyler Hoppe, a fourth-year student majoring in political science and minoring in psychology, is leveraging his personal experiences to help advocate for students with disabilities across Penn State campuses.

Hoppe, from Mount Savage, Maryland, attended Maryland School for the Blind after losing his eyesight later in life. While at the school, Hoppe learned the importance of advocacy organizations such as the National Federation of the Blind and the American Council of the Blind. He would become more involved in the organizations after joining student government at Penn State Altoona.

These experiences in student government, he said, fueled Hoppe’s passion for helping to ensure that students with disabilities have the resources and support they need to succeed in higher education.

“There have been plenty of times in my life where I felt that my voice has been dampened by others, and I've taken the initiative to really step up and make sure my voice is heard,” Hoppe said. “I don't want any other group to ever feel like their voice isn't heard, so I go out of my way to make sure that I amplify the voices that are already there.”

At Penn State University Park, Hoppe is the president of the Council of Commonwealth Student Governments, as well as a student senator for the University Faculty Senate. In these positions, he said, it is his goal to foster an environment where people are not afraid to speak up for themselves, whether it is people with disabilities or underrepresented minority groups.

Hoppe said his education through the College of the Liberal Arts has helped to prepare him for the intricacies of political processes, providing him with a deeper understanding of how to speak to legislators and effectively discuss legislation.

Hoppe has been able to apply this knowledge firsthand, he said, having visited Washington, D.C., multiple times with the National Federation of the Blind to meet with senators to advocate on different bills. Hoppe attributes the success he had on these trips to the political efficacy he has learned throughout his college education.

Hoppe said he is thankful for the funding he has received throughout his time at Penn State.

“Fortunately, I've been awarded multiple scholarships from Penn State, the National Federation of the Blind, Team See Possibilities and the American Council of the Blind, enabling me to pursue my continued education,” he said. “Coming from a family unable to afford college funding or loans, I comprehensively apply for every scholarship I qualify for each semester to sustain my education and collegiate success.”

Hoppe said attending Penn State on scholarships has spurred him to become a more successful student to justify these organizations’ “investment” in him.

“I have upheld a 4.0 grade-point average and aim to continue at Penn State Law," he said, "thus ensuring that the investment made by these ‘investors’ is being utilized effectively.”

In addition to attending law school, Hoppe said he is determined to continue his advocacy work, with the plan of becoming a United States prosecutor and hoping to eventually serve in the U.S. Senate.

“I want to do what I'm doing now on a larger scale for the country,” said Hoppe about his career goals. “I want to make sure that groups are heard and that any legislation being put forth is identifying disparities within the entire country for specific underrepresented groups.”

Hoppe said he encourages the Penn State community to have respectful conversations that include the challenges faced by communities within the University.

“It seems like the simplest solution, but a lot of people are afraid to go out and speak to people about what is going on,” Hoppe said. “I think as a student leader, and just as a student in general, that's probably one of the most important things.”

Hoppe said he will continue to support students at the Penn State campuses and act as a facilitator of conversations between University leaders and student groups to help voices be heard.