Join the Fight Against the Student Debt Crisis
Session Type(s): Panel
Starts: Saturday, Oct. 9 3:45 PM (Eastern)
Ends: Saturday, Oct. 9 4:45 PM (Eastern)
We’re in a student debt crisis. Over 46 million borrowers owe a collective $1.8 trillion in loans. As we know, these loans disproportionately impact borrowers of color and other underserved communities. The government and servicers continue to provide poor and antiquated service, even with a new administration in office. Bad actors in the space take advantage and spread misinformation. As we await more policy progress, nonprofits and startup companies have built coalitions to tackle the problem. Panelists will share insights gained during the pandemic, solutions and resources to help borrowers, discuss ways to hold servicers accountable, and their visions of the future of this fight and debt cancellation.
Moderator
Natalia Abrams
Since 2009, Natalia has been an advocate and leader for the national student debt crisis. She co-founded Student Debt Crisis in 2012. Her work has given Natalia the opportunity to connect personally with student loan borrowers and focus on driving policy solutions through online campaigning. The goal is to turn student debt and affordable education into a winning electoral issue.
In 2011, she started Occupy Colleges as a response to the economic injustices students were dealing with from high tuition increases to lack of financial aid. During her tenure at Occupy Colleges, Natalia organized one of the largest college protest since the 1970’s.
Ask Natalia about how to tackle your student debt!
Panelists
Sabrina Calazans
Sabrina Calazans is the outreach coordinator at Student Debt Crisis Center. She graduated with a B.A. in International Studies from Arcadia University where she advocated for increased resources and opportunities for students of color to study abroad. She is interested in bringing more awareness to the disproportionate impact of student loan debt on communities of color and women. Sabrina has written about the impact of student loan debt on the Latinx community for The Nation in both English and Spanish.
Lindsay Clark
Lindsay is a fierce champion for the student loan borrower – having accumulated enormous student debt over the course of her undergraduate and graduate studies at Yale and Columbia, respectively. Having worked in advocacy and financial technology for nearly a decade, Lindsay brings a deep understanding of the urgency behind providing solutions for student loan borrowers. As Director of External Affairs, Lindsay built and continues to lead our front line efforts to assist America’s 46 million borrowers. She is also a contributor at The Nation.
Samantha Seng
Samantha Seng covers education policy – early childhood, K – 12th grade, and higher education for NextGen Policy. The work includes advocating for policies and programs that promote access, equity, and student success at every stage of their educational career.
Samantha joined NextGen after years in the California State Assembly, working on a wide range of issues for several different elected officials. Before moving to Sacramento, Samantha came from the non-profit sector, teaching, mentoring, and tutoring low-income and at-promise youth throughout the Bay Area.
Samantha is a proud daughter of immigrants, a first-generation college graduate, and the first family member to hold a Master’s Degree – in Education from Lesley University. Samantha holds an undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley.