NYPIRG Student Spotlight

Norm Miller, City Tech Student

I first got involved with NYPIRG at City Tech after attending an event on NYPIRG’s campaign to end medical debt. I was inspired to take action, especially after learning that hospitals were garnishing the wages of patients burdened by medical bills. Thanks to NYPIRG’s advocacy, that harmful practice has since been banned. I’m really glad I attended this first event with NYPIRG because since then, my involvement has only grown!

Once learning about all of NYPIRG’s issue areas, what really drew me in was the Straphangers Campaign. I’ve always been passionate about public transportation. I've spent years learning about the system and following transit news, like the Transit Report Card and the Pokey Awards for slow bus service. I felt like I finally found a space where that knowledge could be used for change. Since then, I’ve taken on leadership roles within NYPIRG. I currently serve on the Statewide Student Board of Directors, representing City Tech, and I’m also a student Project Leader for the Straphangers Campaign. I’ve spent a lot of time talking to students across Brooklyn about transit quality, bus routes, transit signal priority, and the need for more dedicated bus lanes. One of my favorite NYPIRG experiences was attending the mayoral candidates' forum back in February 2025. It was eye-opening to hear how different candidates spoke about the future of New York, especially on issues like transit, education, and the environment. Another great opportunity for me was when I got to speak at the Faster on Flatbush rally at Barclays Center. Being a student speaker at a rally that took place right on Atlantic Avenue, a major transit corridor, was very meaningful and gave me the chance to represent NYPIRG’s Brooklyn schools and speak out for faster, more reliable public buses.

NYPIRG has helped me grow tremendously as a leader. I’ve developed stronger organizational skills, become more confident speaking in public, and learned how to connect with fellow students, even those who feel politically disengaged. It feels good to inspire students to get involved who formerly felt like their voice didn’t matter. The advice I'd give a student who feels powerless to make change is this: let your voice be heard and let everyone know how you feel – and then tell them to talk to other people and get them involved too!