The Charger Blog
In my work for the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation, I continue to draw on what I learned as a political science student at the University of New Haven as I help promote school safety.
July 6, 2022
As a recent graduate of the University of New Haven’s political science program, I have spent much of the past two years working for the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation, helping create school safety programs for school districts across the country. I believe it was my experiences at the University and studying political science that helped prepare me for success in this role. Throughout my time as a student, I was actively involved in the Mayor’s Advisory Commission (MAC), working closely with West Haven city leaders and as part of several award-winning Model United Nations (MUN) teams.
Each day at Sandy Hook Promise I think about Model UN. I have the chance to communicate regularly with stakeholders and community members from all walks of life to talk about the importance of school safety. We discuss difficult and emotional subjects, while leaving partisanship and politics at the door.
Through Model UN, I learned how to be emotionally intelligent and how to manage projects through practice. Because of these experiences, I became comfortable conveying complex messaging, resolving conflicts, and finding common ground. I believe these are three critical skills to finding success in any field.
The culture in the Political Science Department was certainly a key to my success. Nowhere else will you develop life-long relationships with your professors or have an adviser like Dr. Chris Haynes who works tirelessly to support your best interests.
I get to go to work every day fighting for what I believe in, and I enjoy doing it. I owe a lot of that to my experiences and the lessons I’ve learned from the political science program at the University of New Haven.
Ryan Dougherty ’19, who earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of New Haven, now works for the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation.
The Charger Blog
A groundbreaking study by University of New Haven Professor Susan M. Higgins, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, examines how a Fieldwork Educator Certificate Program helps practitioners develop the skills, structure, and confidence needed to guide occupational therapy students during fieldwork.
Charger 360
Jess Scibek, director of campus recreation, discusses her journey to the University, her background in corporate fitness, and transitioning to a university setting, as well as her passion for helping people stay well and the benefits of the programs available through the David A. Beckerman Recreation Center. Emilio Sanchez ’26, a native of Mexico, a graduate student in sport management, and a graduate assistant with ChargerREC, shared his background living across the globe in China, Singapore, Spain, and the U.S. Jess talked about her family’s passion for New Haven apizza, and Emilio gave an inside look at his experiences in and out of the classroom, including an upcoming sales competition he’ll be part of. “The opportunities that are being offered at this University is something that I have never experienced,” said Emilio.
The Charger Blog
In collaboration with the University of Virginia and the Uppsala Conflict Data Program, researchers have conducted the first empirical evaluation of no-strike lists during the Syrian conflict.