Galloway, N.J. — Stockton University students get something most Intro to Politics courses can't offer — a seat at the table with the people actually making decisions.

The “Lunch with Legislators” series, organized by Stockton’s Director of Government Relations Amy Swan, brings local and state politicians to campus for open, informal discussions with students. The program is designed to show students that a career in public service is more attainable than it might seem.

“I wanted to bring government to the students and demystify it,” Swan said. “Let them see that government is made up of people that come from all different walks of life, and it's open to everybody.”

The series grew from Stockton's existing Pizza and Politics program, which is affiliated with the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy and centers on federal and international policy. Swan said she partnered with Hughes Center Director Tina Zappile, who’s also a Political Science professor, to create a state and local offshoot, bringing elected officials to campus to have conversations with students.

Associate Professor of Political Science Claire Abernathy later invited Swan to bring the forum into her introductory politics course once a month, providing a built-in student audience. The events remain open to all students who wish to join and engage.

Comcast sponsors the series saying it aligns with the company’s broader mission.

“Pizza and Politics brings students together with local leaders for thoughtful discussion,” the company said in a statement.

The most recent session on March 18 featured a panel of four mayors: Anthony Coppola Jr. of Galloway Township, Lisa Jiampetti of Egg Harbor City, Laura Pfrommer of Egg Harbor Township and Judy Ward of Pleasantville. Students questioned the panel on gender inequality in the workplace, immigration enforcement, disability rights and local traffic safety — including one student who asked the mayors to consider a traffic light at an intersection where crashes have occurred.

Despite coming from different parties, the mayors were notably aligned. Swan said bipartisan balance is intentional.

Pfrommer put it plainly. “We're not going to agree on everything, but we'll agree on most things,” she said. “When you talk to people, you find out more than you ever will by reading books or seeing what's on Instagram or Snapchat.”

For students who have attended multiple sessions, the cumulative effect has been a shift in how they see government.

“You get to see the people behind the decisions,” said Giavanna McManus, a senior from Delanco who was attending her third event. “It almost gives it a more human side.”

Sophomore Nanshalle Ali Smith, of Sicklerville, said the panel's relatability stood out.

“The biggest thing I'm taking away is that they actually start out at the same level as us,” she said. “They are regular people who just branched off in life. Most of them went to Stockton and were in our position.”

Coppola reinforced that point from the other side of the table.

“Everything that you deal with in everyday life, we deal with,” he said.

Swan said she hopes students leave each session not just informed but inspired to consider the range of ways they can engage with government — as clerks, tax collectors, lobbyists, lawyers or candidates.

“There are so many different things that are open to them, and I'm trying to bring that to them,” she said.

The next event is scheduled for April 22 and will feature New Jersey State Sen. Latham Tivar of the 8th Legislative District, who sits on the environmental committee. Swan said she plans to continue the series for as long as she is at Stockton.

— Story by Ella Johnson, photos by Abbigail Erbacher