Focus on a Graduating Senior

Ebony Fripp (2016, Political Science) 

The History & Political Science Department at Daemen College emphasizes disciplinary training and transferable skills that bridges the theory of classroom learning with real-world practice and professional preparation.  Our senior thesis capstone project provides an opportunity for students to gain practical research skills and substantive knowledge of topics which connect to their personal aspirations and employment interests. Here we feature one of our seniors, Ebony Fripp.  

Ebony Fripp (2016, Political Science) 

In the Spring of 2015, Political Science major, Ebony Fripp, took part in the City of Buffalo Urban Fellows Internship program. Ebony writes:

During my time here I was able to participate in, and attend, many city wide events, and more importantly, the meetings preparing for these events. I had the chance to be in on the deep planning of affairs like the Mayor’s Black History Event, the Mayor’s Day of Service and Clean Sweeps Kickoff. Going out and “pounding the pavement” with Clean Sweeps allowed me to have direct interaction with city residents. Cities all across America look to Buffalo to replicate a similar program in their own city because of its successful track record. To be a small part of that success was incredible. Although I am not a Buffalo native, I consider Buffalo to be my home and I was honored to be a part of the shift towards a better Buffalo.

The Urban Fellows internship provided me with the opportunity to practice proper etiquette in a work environment. I was able to sit in on meetings with the director of our office while he met with potential partners. I gained the ability to take whatever is thrown at me and work through it in effective and creative ways and was challenged to put what I observed to practice when we had meetings of our own. To add to this, we were assigned writing tasks, such as, writing proposals for different events and programs happening in our office.

Being selected to be an Urban Fellow intern was an opportunity that I definitely do not take for granted. I learned so much being inside of the Mayor’s 311 Call and Resolution Center and have met so many amazing people along the way. Being given the opportunity to work hands on with the planning and execution of different events conducted by the office allowed me to gain transferable skills that I can take out into the work place and use to grow and further my career as a potential public sector worker.

In the Fall of 2015, Ebony successfully defended her senior thesis entitled, “Operation Clean Up Albany”: An Explanatory Case Study on Corruption and Public Ethics Reform within New York State Government. Her thesis, "examined high profile political corruption cases from 2005 to the present, a 10-year time frame, as well as past and present public ethics reforms that have and are being implemented in New York State." The central question explored was why ethics reform is lacking despite the high levels of political corruption and public awareness of public ethics violations in New York State. Ebony's topic was both timely and significant, focusing on the importance of public trust to effective democratic governance. In examining the New York case, she identified the role of the state's political culture, economic inequality, and low levels of trust in reformers as important factors impeding meaningful reform. Ebony's finished thesis is one of two finalists for the annual Department's Best Thesis Award.

Ebony is considering graduate programs in public administration and policy with the goal of employment in the public sector where she can put her political science major and the skills she acquired through classroom and experiential learning opportunities at Daemen College to work. We look forward to future updates from Ebony as she continues to serve her community and to advocate for ethical governance.