diff --git a/app/models/user.rb b/app/models/user.rb
index f44c454..f8f051b 100644
--- a/app/models/user.rb
+++ b/app/models/user.rb
@@ -12,10 +12,10 @@ def is_admin?
   end
 
   def is_nj?
-    epoch_branch.name == 'NJ'
+    epoch_branch.name == 'New Jersey' || epoch_branch.name == "NJ"
   end
 
   def is_ny?
-    epoch_branch.name == 'NY'
+    epoch_branch.name == 'New York' || epoch_branch.name == "NY"
   end
 end