Major: Political Science
Minor: Thanatology
Hometown: Richmond, RI
Q. What makes the College of Arts and Sciences at URI unique?
A. The College of Arts and Sciences at URI is unique because of how much emphasis it puts on participating in practical tasks after gaining knowledge from classes. For instance, in one of my Political Science classes we had to write mock testimony arguing for or against a policy issue and present it to a mock committee, just as we would if we testified in front of a Rhode Island State House or Senate committee for or against a policy issue. This was an enlightening and beneficial experience for me and gave myself and my classmates an opportunity to implement the knowledge we had gained over the course of the semester.
What accomplishments and/or activities at URI are you most proud of now?
I am most proud of my volunteer work on campus. Through the URI Rotaract Club, I have been able to serve the Kingston Campus and our surrounding towns of North and South Kingstown, Wakefield, and Narragansett with my classmates. I have participated in countless service events, including food drives, beach clean-ups, campus clean-ups, staffing the annual Mews Tavern road race, making cards for The Confetti Foundation, and more. Being a member of the URI Rotaract Club and serving on its executive board has been a highlight during my time at URI.
What research projects, internships, experiential learning, and/or study abroad programs did you participate in at URI? How did they enhance your education?
I am currently completing an Honors Project about gender archetypes on the American silver screen. I am watching films that either won an Academy Award for Best Picture or an Academy Award for Best Actress every five years within the timespan of 1980-2020. For example, I am watching Kramer vs. Kramer, which won Best Picture in 1980, and Norma Rae, for which Sally Field won an award for Best Actress that same year. After I watch these movies, I will watch the Best Picture and Best Actress winners from 1985, 1990, and so on. Completing this independent research project has allowed me to spend ample time researching and learning about gender stereotypes and films. I would not have the time or resources to do such extensive research outside of the academic year, so this project has facilitated my learning and allowed me to spend time gaining knowledge about subjects I love that I often do not encounter in my Political Science classes. I also had the wonderful opportunity to intern for U.S. Senator Jack Reed at his Washington, D.C. office during the summer of 2019. During my internship, I was able to attend Congressional hearings covering a variety of topics, including healthcare, defense, foreign affairs, banking, and housing. This internship made me certain that Political Science was the right major for me, and it reassured me that I was following the correct career path.
What do you value about your liberal arts education?
Through the various liberal arts classes I have taken my worldview has been changed and my breadth of knowledge about the world has expanded. In my Political Science classes specifically, I have learned a lot about people and what motivates them. My classes have provided me with the opportunity to read and write extensively, which has greatly improved my comprehension and communication skills. These skills are highly valuable and important in any career. I have also learned how to conduct scholarly research and I have had to utilize and build critical thinking skills throughout my Political Science career, especially when my classes talk about societal issues and their potential solutions.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I will always be grateful for URI. I have met so many wonderful people and had so many incredible experiences in Kingston. From spending late nights in Lippitt after 7pm classes, to studying in the MU Airport Lounge, to sitting with friends and an iced coffee in Carothers, my time at URI has been memorable and joyful. URI has provided me with an excellent academic experience, and I have gotten to learn so much while taking classes that not only intrigue me but satisfy my major, minor, and graduation requirements. My advice to undergraduates would be, if you can, take some Thanatology classes. Who knows, you may learn about cults, mass death, disease epidemics, or about how to write your own obituary. As my professors say, death education is really an education for life.
P.S. I never thought I would say this, but I think I’ll miss waiting for the Hill Climber in the rain.