MeKenzie Mattheson

May 14, 2019
While at URI, McKenzie raced in two NCAA Championships, travelled to England to race in the Women's Henley Regatta, was a teacher's assistant three times, and was the recipient of the University Academic Excellence Award for the Gender and Women's Studies Program.

Majors: Gender and Women’s Studies and Sociology 

Hometown: Jaffrey, NH

What makes the College of Arts and Sciences at URI unique?

What makes the College of Arts and Sciences at URI unique is the outstanding faculty. They are experts in their fields who do important and interesting research behind the scenes. They taught me that, in order to answer big questions, you have to be thoughtful and take intellectual risks.

What research projects, internships, and/or study abroad programs did you participate in at URI? 

I had the opportunity to spend an entire semester conducting a content analysis on two editions of the popular pregnancy book, What To Expect When You’re Expecting. I wrote a 30-page research paper in which I identified how neoliberalism has embedded itself in the realm of pregnancy and childbirth. This project strengthened my prose and knowledge in the topic of reproduction, which through the years has become my chosen “niche.” 

What do you value about your liberal arts education?

My liberal arts education has made me more socially aware, which in turn has made me a more active and engaged citizen. Daily classroom discussions taught me to respect and learn from others’ viewpoints and experiences. I had countless experiences where I was encouraged to practice community activism and projecting my voice. It is because I have this knowledge base and these tools that I am an avid voter and stay up-to-date with local and country-wide politics.