Mayoral Candidate Discusses Research Funding, Immigration with Grad Students

David Morales MPA'19 met with Brown University graduate organizations to address concerns over federal policy impacts.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 11:22pm

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A dimly lit campus library scene with a lone graduate student working late at a desk, the space bathed in warm, cinematic lighting and deep shadows, conceptually representing the challenges facing the academic community.A mayoral candidate's meeting with graduate students highlights the need to bridge the gap between academia and policymakers on issues impacting higher education.Providence Today

Providence mayoral candidate David Morales MPA'19 joined a panel discussion hosted by the Latinx Graduate Collective and Brown for Science Diplomacy to address the impacts of research funding cuts and increased immigration policies on higher education. Morales discussed ways to mitigate the effects of federal funding reductions, including securing state-level support, and addressed concerns from international students about immigration enforcement in Providence.

Why it matters

As a rising political figure, Morales' engagement with graduate student organizations demonstrates his efforts to connect with the academic community and understand their priorities. The discussion highlighted key issues facing researchers and international students, which could shape Morales' policy platform as he campaigns for mayor.

The details

During the panel, Morales explained that many graduates from Providence's universities, such as Brown and RISD, do not end up staying in the city after completing their studies due to a lack of promising job opportunities. To address this, Morales advocated for increased state-level investments in workforce development and research funding to help retain local talent. He also discussed the need to provide more support for public schools in Providence, including through an endowment tax on the city's elite institutions.

  • The event was held on Wednesday, April 16, 2026.
  • Morales announced his mayoral candidacy in the fall of 2025.

The players

David Morales

A Providence mayoral candidate and current state representative, who is the youngest Latino legislator in the country.

Latinx Graduate Collective

A graduate student organization at Brown University that co-hosted the panel discussion with Morales.

Brown for Science Diplomacy

A graduate student organization at Brown University that co-hosted the panel discussion with Morales.

Melanie Ortiz-Alvarez de La Campa

A co-founder of Brown for Science Diplomacy.

Alexxa Cruz-Bonilla

The president of the Latinx Graduate Collective.

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What they’re saying

“People are worried about what the future of science holds. There was a need for grad students to have a space for them to voice their concerns.”

— Melanie Ortiz-Alvarez de La Campa, Co-founder, Brown for Science Diplomacy

“When research funding gets cut, it's often the early scientists like us in this room and students who are hit the hardest.”

— Alexxa Cruz-Bonilla, President, Latinx Graduate Collective

“If we were to start making those investments directly back towards workforce opportunities, back towards research, we would be able to capture and retain so much more talent that otherwise just leaves the state.”

— David Morales, Providence Mayoral Candidate

“My message to our immigrant community is that you have a community that cares about you.”

— David Morales, Providence Mayoral Candidate

What’s next

Morales plans to continue engaging with the academic community and advocating for increased research funding and support for international students as part of his mayoral campaign.

The takeaway

Morales' outreach to graduate student organizations demonstrates his efforts to connect with the academic community and understand their priorities, which could shape his policy platform as he campaigns to become Providence's next mayor.