A Letter from the Governor: Combining the Power of Engineering and Civic Duty

On October 25, 2024, I opened my mailbox to something that I did not expect: a letter from the Governor of Massachusetts, Maura Healey. Co-signed with recognition from Lt. Governor Kimberly Driscoll, this letter was more than ink on paper. It was a symbol of gratitude, encouragement, and addirmation--not just for me, but every young person (especially for immigrants) who dares to believe their voice matters. 

I want to share not only what the letter said, but also wht it means to me and how it connects to my journey at Tufts, in advocacy, and in life. 

Letter

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
STATE HOUSE • BOSTON, MA 02133
(617) 725-4000

MAURA T. HEALEY
Governor

KIMBERLEY DRISCOLL
Lieutenant Governor

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October 25, 2024

Jose Armando Rodriguez Sanchez
Medford, MA 02155-5432

Dear Jose:

I would like to commend you for exercising your civic duty. Your mother recently reached out to our office highlighting the work you have done for your community at Tufts University, and Lt. Governor Driscoll and I wanted to personally thank and congratulate you – we deeply value the voices and contributions of young people. Hardworking and community-oriented folks like you remind me what a privilege and responsibility it is to serve this beautiful Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

We commend your time serving as the Administration and Policy Chair for over 6,500 undergraduate students at Tufts University, pushing for projects advocating for accessibility while believing that anyone can make a change. We understand that your team was recently awarded a $150,000 yearly budget from the University to update pedestrian infrastructure to be ADA compliant, ensuring that the University departments are managing these funds ethically and to the best of their ability. It really brightens my day to know that there are students like you contributing to the conversation about the well-being of our communities. As you continue pursuing your degree in Biomedical Engineering, I hope you never give up and that you remain committed to doing this job for your sister and those who face uncertainty each day.

Thank you for being a shining example for other students. Please take care of yourself and those around you. Good luck, and keep working hard in your studies. You have really made my day.

Very truly yours,

(signature)
Maura T. Healey
Governor of Massachusetts

Blog Section

The Governor began by commending me for exercising my civic duty, and she framed that phrase in a way that carried weight. Too often we treat civic duty as something distant, reserved for politicians or public officials, but her words reminded me that it is a responsibility we all share. Every person has the power to step up when they see a need, and for me, that has meant showing up at Tufts, listening to peers, and pushing for change. What made the letter even more meaningful was the personal touch—it was my mother who had reached out to the Governor’s office, highlighting the work I’ve done, which made the recognition feel rooted not only in my actions but in my family’s constant support and belief in me.

The Governor specifically noted my role as Administration and Policy Chair for over 6,500 undergraduate students at Tufts University, highlighting the projects I pushed forward to improve accessibility and the conviction I carried that anyone can make a change. That belief has always been central to my work. Serving as a student representative wasn’t about holding a title, it was about creating opportunities for students to be heard and building policies that reflect their realities. Governor Healey’s words reminded me that leadership is not elitism, it is empowerment. She tied my work directly to the broader values of the Commonwealth, recognizing that inclusivity is not an abstract goal but something that must be built into the systems and structures we rely on every day.

The letter went beyond acknowledging effort, it celebrated results. Governor Healey pointed to the recent allocation of a $150,000 yearly budget from Tufts University dedicated to updating pedestrian infrastructure to be ADA compliant. To me, this was one of the proudest outcomes of our advocacy. On paper, it may read as a line in a budget, but in reality, it represents independence, safety, and dignity for students with mobility challenges. It means the university is not only hearing our concerns but committing real resources to address them. The Governor’s mention of accountability, ensuring that funds are managed ethically, also reinforced something I deeply believe in: change doesn’t end at securing resources, it requires oversight, follow-through, and integrity in implementation.

What moved me even more was the personal encouragement she wove into the letter. She wrote that my work brightened her day, that she hoped I never give up, and that I should remain committed not only for Tufts students but for my sister and others who live with uncertainty every day. That line hit home. My sister, who lives with epilepsy, has been my inspiration from the very beginning, and her journey keeps me grounded in why accessibility matters so deeply. For me, this isn’t about checking a compliance box or building a résumé, it’s about real people, real families, and real challenges. The Governor’s acknowledgment of that personal connection reminded me that advocacy is at its strongest when it is rooted in compassion and lived experience.

Her closing remarks were just as powerful as the opening. She called me a shining example for other students, reminded me to care for myself and those around me, and encouraged me to continue working hard in my Biomedical Engineering studies. The final line, “You have really made my day”, stayed with me. It’s not often that someone in a position of leadership turns the tables and says that your work has inspired them. That moment reminded me that leadership is reciprocal. When we step up and do the work, when we advocate for others, we don’t just shift policies, we lift spirits, we change perspectives, and we inspire those who hold the highest offices to believe in the next generation.

Holding that letter in my hands was humbling, but more than anything, it was energizing. It reminded me that the work is never finished. Accessibility, equity, and inclusion require constant vigilance, creativity, and persistence. It also reinforced the balance I strive for every day—between my education in Biomedical Engineering and my advocacy for change. They are not competing paths but intertwined journeys. Engineering teaches me problem-solving; advocacy teaches me resilience; together they push me to use knowledge in service of others.

This recognition from Governor Healey is not an ending point—it is a checkpoint, a signpost that says: keep going. Keep pushing for accessibility in higher education. Keep integrating inclusivity into the designs and systems I’ll build as an engineer. Keep mentoring peers and supporting those who feel unseen. Keep honoring my family, my community, and the values that brought me this far. If a kid from rural Arkansas can find himself recognized by the Governor of Massachusetts for serving his campus and community, then anyone can make an impact where they are. This letter made my day, but more importantly, it strengthened my resolve. Civic duty is not something you do once, it is a lifelong commitment. Accessibility is not a checkbox, it is a promise to make our world fairer. Persistence is not optional, it is the only way forward. The journey continues, and I am grateful for every step.

Reply Letter

Jose Armando
Medford, MA

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November 1, 2024

Governor Maura T. Healey
Office of the Governor
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
State House
Boston, MA 02133

Dear Governor Healey,

Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful letter. It was both humbling and inspiring to read your words of encouragement and recognition. I am deeply grateful that you and Lt. Governor Driscoll took the time to acknowledge my work and the efforts of my peers at Tufts University.

Your letter reminded me why I first chose to step into student leadership: to make sure that every voice, especially those often overlooked, has a place in shaping our community. The recognition of our work on accessibility projects and the University’s commitment to ADA-compliant infrastructure is not only an institutional milestone but also a personal one. My sister, who lives with epilepsy, continues to inspire me to advocate for inclusion, and your acknowledgment of her in your letter means more to me than I can express.

As I continue pursuing my studies in Biomedical Engineering, I am reminded daily that education and service go hand in hand. The technical knowledge I gain in the classroom strengthens my ability to solve problems, but it is civic duty and compassion that give those solutions meaning. Your words, especially your reminder to never give up, encourage me to stay committed even when progress feels slow or the challenges seem daunting.

Thank you again for your encouragement and for leading with a spirit that values the voices of young people. I am honored to contribute in whatever small way I can to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and I hope to continue doing so through my studies, my advocacy, and my future career.

With gratitude and respect,

Cheers :),
Jose Armando, E'26