USC Chief of Staff Dennis Cornell, President C. L. Max Nikias, and Trustees Bruce M. Ramer and Christopher Cox pose with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in Washington D.C. (USC Photo/Eric Abelev)

WASHINGTON — With cherry blossoms blooming and spring in full swing, USC President C. L. Max Nikias led a delegation of trustees, senior administrators and deans to the nation’s capital Wednesday.

Running two concurrent tracks led by Nikias and Provost Michael Quick, delegates discussed with lawmakers a number of pressing issues affecting higher education including research funding, student aid, veteran care and a White House proposal to rate the nation’s post-secondary institutions.

Delegates met with a bipartisan group including: Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.); Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.); Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.); Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the House minority leader; Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.); and Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.).

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