When people think of public servants, they traditionally think about police officers, teachers, and counselors. Each public servant represents a unique and valued member of society. Yet, firefighters do not always come to mind as public servants even though they are one of the most essential professionals in American society. 2020 data indicates that a…
Category: Education
Undergraduate Spotlight: Kaitlynn Adams from the Department of Interdisciplinary Social Science
What is your major and why did you choose it? As someone who is a loyal NPR Politics Podcast listener, protest goer, and petition signer I chose to double major in Interdisciplinary Social Science (ISS) and Political Science with the goal of using my education, experience, and passion to make meaningful change. The idea that…
Grad Student Spotlight: Devon Coates from the Department of Public Health
What department are you a graduate student in? I am a graduate student in the Master of Public Health Program. Why did you decide to go to graduate school? If I am being honest, I decided to go to graduate school because I am very competitive and I believe having a master’s degree would differentiate…
Honors Thesis Spotlight: Examining the Relationship Between Education and White Racial Resentment
Since the foundation of the United States, racism has been a systematic issue deeply rooted within long-standing principles. Laws and practices such as slavery, Jim Crow laws, and Black codes are just a few examples of the overt racism in the country’s system. In recent times, racism in America has transformed from outward aggression to…
Research Spotlight: Reflections on a Life of Service
When asked to reflect on service, the thought of an enlightened path came to mind. The beginning of the journey to serving others starts with self. Understanding or “knowing thy self”, what one believes in morals, values and ethics is very important. Let self-assessment, as prescribed through Emotional Intelligence inform your every action. In the…
Undergraduate Spotlight: Stella Nunes from the Department of Political Science
What is your major and why did you choose it? Political Science. The polarized nature of ideologies and politics globally has always sparked curiosity within me and prompted me to take interest in political science as my major. By choosing to pursue a degree in political science, I aspire to think analytically about systemic issues…
Graduate Student Spotlight: Jill Patel from the Department of Public Health
What department are you a graduate student in? I am in the MPH program. Why did you decide to go to graduate school? To build on my background as a Biology Major and integrate science with Public Health to help me get a diverse background and skill set for my career. Did your interests change…
Research Quick Take
Here at the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy (COSSPP), our faculty have been quite busy! Here are some of the projects that our faculty have recently published. “Religious Involvement and Substance Use Among Urban Mothers” by Dr. Amy Burdette In her recent article, Dr. Burdette uses longitudinal data from the U.S. Fragile Families…
Honors Thesis Spotlight: The Prison, The Prophet, and The People: [In]Justice in Senegal
The disrepute of America’s criminal justice system and their endemic issues of police violence have continued to heighten within the past couple of years. However, many activists, politicians, and celebrities in the United States have begun to draw parallels between these egregious systematic acts and Nigeria’s violent Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). This comparison proves to…
Research Spotlight: Abortion rights protests have been peaceful. Will that change?
This post originally appeared in the Washington Post. Outraged by the leaked draft of a Supreme Court opinion suggesting that Roe v. Wade will soon be overturned, elected Democrats from Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, to scores in between have been denouncing the move. Meanwhile, thousands of protesters have gathered in front of the Supreme Court and courthouses across the…
Wicked Problems, Wicked Solutions 