Catching Up With Our Alumni – Tori Newman Campbell

Colleges and Universities across the country, Daemen included, are in the midst of recruitment season.  Students are exploring what schools have to offer and considering what they want to study when they enroll.  One of the most frequent questions asked of faculty during recruitment events is, “what can I do with this degree?”  While there is no clear, singular career path our graduates follow, the versatility of this degree is one of its strengths.  A degree in History and/or Political Science prepares students for a variety of careers upon graduation.  We have graduates that have gone on to have successful careers in law, business, education, public service, community development, nonprofit organization, and government, just to name a few.  These graduates have taken their course content knowledge along with the transferable skills they developed in the major and had incredibly successful careers. 

That’s the great thing about these disciplines: they provide a wealth of knowledge of history and/or political science content, but they also equip students with critical thinking skills, the ability to develop and carry out a research project, clear verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to synthesize and meaningfully analyze information.  Our alumni regularly put these skills to use in their chosen career paths.  So, to help answer the questions of “what can I do with a degree in History?” or “what can I do with a degree in Political Science?” we want to highlight some of the interesting and important work our alumni have been up to since graduating. 

Tori Newman Campbell '19, Legislative Coordinator for New York 1199SEIU, a healthcare union

Our inaugural alumna is Tori Newman Campbell, class of 2019.  Tori was a Political Science major who minored in Political Communication and Literature and Composition.  She currently works as the Legislative Coordinator for New York 1199SEIU, a healthcare union.  Below is a discussion I recently had with Tori, highlighting what she has been up to since graduating. 

How have you put your degree to use since graduating?

Every job I have held since graduation was related to my degree. My first job was in an Assembly office in Brooklyn. Although I was there a short time, my background in political science was integral in understanding how the Assembly worked, how laws were written and passed and how the Assemblymember participated in the political process. My next job was at a lobby firm, Bolton St. John’s, and although I was no longer working in an elected office, lobbyists have an enormous effect on the political process as well. Minoring in political communication really helped me at the firm. We often pushed out stories and interacted with the media on behalf of clients and their political goals. Currently, I am at 1199SEIU and as the legislative coordinator, I help the union push for our legislative goals such as increasing the Medicaid reimbursement rate. Much like my first two jobs, my degree has aided me in understanding how we can push for these goals and participate in the political process. Also, my coursework that covered the differences between the local, state, and federal levels of governments has been very helpful since starting at 1199SEIU, because unlike my past two positions, we work with legislators at every level of government. That understanding of how each level works and what each level can do has been very useful when we are setting priorities by office.

What do you like most about your job?

My job allows me the ability to do what I love, while making a difference. Working as 1199SEIU’s legislative coordinator, I get to work with elected officials who believe in our goals of pushing for more resources for our hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities and getting better pay for our members who are healthcare heroes. I love politics and getting to go to Albany to be a part of the political process. Getting to do this while also changing the lives of the healthcare workers we represent is amazing and I don’t know if I would ever be able to get that balance somewhere else.

Do you have a favorite memory from your time at Daemen that you'd like to share?

I have so many great memories from Daemen, from making lifelong friends to having professors who helped push me to be the best I could be both academically and professionally. I think some of my favorite memories were being on student government. I was always a part of student government before I got to Daemen, but being in college was a bit different and I never thought I would join again. My senior year I took a leap and ran for Secretary, and I won! That year, as a student government body, we brought the stories and concerns of students of color on campus to administration. We made sure our voices were heard and that will always be one of my core memories at Daemen.

Is there anything else you would like to share with our current students and fellow alumni?

I’ll close by just saying that Daemen is a great school and I don’t know if I would be where I am without the experiences and push from my professors I got during my time there.

Our department is incredibly thankful to Tori for taking the time to share her experiences with us and we hope you enjoyed learning a bit about what she has been up to, since graduating just four years ago!  If you would like to share your post-graduation experiences with the department, please reach out to the Department Chair, Dr. Jay Wendland at jwendlan@daemen.edu or drop your contact information in the comment section below.  

Congratulations, scholarship winners!

A number of our majors have been selected to receive scholarships in recognition of their academic achievements, and academic potential. Congratulations!

The Elizabeth George Ivers Endowed Scholarship for Women

This scholarship, created by our distinguished alumna Elizabeth George Ivers, recognizes high-achieving students with a record of academic success who are engaged in the community. This year's recipients are Madeleine Ruger (sophomore, History) and Gabrielle Sinnott (junior, History & Political Science). Earlier this semester, Gabrielle also received a Benjamin Gilman International scholarship to study abroad in Thailand this summer (read more here).

Madeleine Ruger

Gabrielle Sinnott

Ruth Stratton Scholarship

The Ruth Stratton Scholarship is an endowed scholarship named in honor of Daemen Political Science professor Dr. Ruth Stratton. This scholarship is awarded yearly to an outstanding sophomore or junior major who excels academically. This year's recipient, Megan Racinowski (sophomore, Political Science), intends to pursue a career combining environmental advocacy and law, two areas of Dr. Stratton's deep interest and expertise.

Megan Racinowski

Career Services scholarship

Two of our majors, Annamarie Diapaul (junior, Political Science), and Megan Racinowski (sophomore, Political Science) have been awarded Career Services scholarships to support internships this summer. This is Megan's second internship (read about her internship in Washington, D.C., with US Senator Tom Carper (Delaware).

Annamarie Diapaul

Megan Racinowski

SOS Women's Leadership Award

The SOS Women's Leadership Award, sponsored by the Daemen College Eaglettes (women's faculty organization), is named for three legendary female Daemen professors: Dr. Ruth Stratton, Dr. Betty O'Neill, and Dr. Kaye Sullivan. This college-wide award recognizes two female students each year who have demonstrated outstanding leadership. This year, one of the recipients was graduating senior Brianna Zichettella (Political Science). In addition to her excellent academic record, Brianna was former president of the American Association of University Women (AAWU) Student Organization and wrote a number of articles for Daemen's student newspaper and literary magazine.

Brianna Zichettella

AAUW Chamberlin Award

The Chamberlin grant/loan program, operated by the American Association of University Women (AAUW)'s Buffalo Chapter, provides grants and interest free loans to students who are selected through a competitive application process. Taqiyah Gibbons (graduating senior, History) was among this year's recipients. She will use the award to pay for her Study-Abroad trip to Africa this summer. (Read more here)   

Taqiyah Gibbons

Congratulations to all of our scholarship winners!

Senate 101: Interning with Senator Tom Carper

 

Megan Racinowski outside the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C.

This semester, Megan Racinowski (sophomore, PSC major) is interning in Washington, DC, with Delaware Senator Tom Carper. She describes her experience in a guest blog post.

Senate 101: Interning with Senator Tom Carper

By Megan Racinowski

I approached Mr. Lamark Shaw early in my freshman year to discuss the Washington Internship Institute program. After our discussion I was ready to pack my bags and be off to DC, but I learned that I had to wait till at least my sophomore year to go on this journey. During my freshman year  I continued to work hard but was eager to find out what the future holds. When the time came, I sent in my application to the WII in August 2017 and got an acceptance letter the very next day. I was very excited to start this journey and to be able to try something out of my comfort zone.

"I have a strong passion for environmental work and being able to work with the committee allowed me to see first-hand a push for change in environmental policy in a time when this is so important."

Interning in Senator Tom Carper’s office is a very fun and important experience for me that is shaping the person I am becoming. The most important part for me is that Senator Carper is a ranking member on the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, which brings close cooperation with the workers on the committee. I have a strong passion for environmental work and being able to work with the committee allowed me to see first-hand a push for change in environmental policy in a time when this is so important. As an intern in Senator Carper’s office I am given the freedom to follow my policy interests by attending many different committee hearings, and connecting with individuals in those policy realms. 

Megan with Senator Tom Carper (Delaware)

As an intern I do not answer phones all day, and often get to help with important tasks in the office varying from policy research for the Legislative Correspondents to helping get various Senators’ and Representatives’ signatures for co-sponsorship on legislation. One of the most memorable experiences from my internship was being able to get lunch with my fellow interns, my internship coordinator, and Senator Carper. Senator Carper always takes the time to personally meet with his interns and get to know them and their career goals. The Senator always made a point of saying hello to the interns and bringing interns into different meetings he would have. The atmosphere in the office was always welcoming and inviting, making me feel comfortable and excited to go to work every day. I will always cherish my time in Senator Carper’s office, and will continue to grow from my experience.

At work in Senator Carper's office

The WII program pushes students to become not only better people, but to become better students and workers as well. Students in the WII program's Inside Washington track take two different classes. One is a career seminar class and the another is a class of the student's choice, either in international relations or American politics. The career seminar class teaches students about presenting yourself within the job market and how to land the job of your dreams. Some of the activities in this class included a resume and cover letter workshop, mock job interviews, practicing an elevator speech, and discussing my career goals. 

My class on American politics has pushed me outside of my comfort zone and helped me gain self-confidence that I did not have before. I now feel comfortable to one day enter the job market, because I feel prepared and confident in myself and my ability.  The class emphasizes debating skills and how to have a good discussion with peers about controversial issues like gun-control, abortion, and marriage equality. In the polarized political climate we are currently living in, the class has forced me to hear other people’s opinions and to try to understand different perspectives on issues. My fellow classmates are all working at different places--ranging from think tanks, to lobbying firms, to Capitol Hill--and being able to talk to them about their experiences helps me grow as a person and learn about the job world. I appreciate that the internship is teaching me what it is like to work in an office environment. I think the experience I am getting through my internship will set me apart from peers when I enter the job market.
 

At the Women's March, January 2018

My time on the Hill is influencing my growth as a student and as a person. I am seeing how government actually works, getting hands-on experience within our government, and expanding my network.


The internship pushes me to take advantage of all the opportunities that come my way. My classes have helped me develop the skills I need to be successful in my future endeavors. I have grown and will continue to grow as a person from my internship/classes and am eager for my future. My internship has reignited the fire inside of me to fight for change and make a lasting difference in the world around me.

"My internship has reignited the fire inside of me to fight for change and make a lasting difference in the world around me."

For more information on the Washington Internship Institute, contact Mr. Lamark Shaw in Daemen's Career Services office.

Thinking of majoring in History? AHA report on career paths & earnings

The stereotypes about the supposed "dead-end" of a liberal arts degree--especially in humanities disciplines such as History, English, Philosophy, and Languages--has become deeply entrenched in the public imagination. Fortunately, the importance of these liberal arts fields are being rediscovered and are gaining renewed attention as versatile and flexible areas of study that equip students with knowledge and intellectual skills that are highly valued by employers, that result in a high degree of career satisfaction, and that provide the flexibility to adapt to change careers during a lifetime of employment. (See, for example, discussion of recent books such as The Fuzzy and the Techie and Robot-Proof: Higher Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.)

The American Historical Association (AHA) recently published an article exploring career possibilities for history degree-holders in its magazine, Perspectives. "History is Not a Useless Major: Fighting Myths with Data" (April 2017) challenges the prevailing message that majoring in STEM disciplines is the only path to career success and examines myths about history. The article draws upon data comparing the marketability of various degrees, using census data from some 3.5 million American households, as analyzed by the American Community Survey (ACS).

History majors end up working in a wide range of career areas, as the chart below demonstrates:

"Data source: ACS 2010–14 5-year Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS). Includes individuals who stated they were in full-time employment, between the ages of 25 and 64, had achieved a bachelor’s degree or higher, and had either history or US history as the field of study for their bachelor’s degree." (Fig. 1 from "History Is Not a Useless Major")

Describing the career paths of History graduates, the Perspectives story notes:

History majors seem particularly well-­prepared for, and attracted to, certain careers. Nearly one in five goes into education—just over half as primary-, middle-, and high-school teachers. Another 15 percent enter management positions in business, and 11 percent go into the legal professions (most becoming lawyers)....

It’s important to note that nearly half of the history majors identified by the ACS went on to graduate school—a much higher percentage than the national average (37 percent) and higher than majors in English (45 percent) and the liberal arts (26 percent). This might be because law, management, and education require advanced study. It could also mean that students interested in careers that require graduate training see a history major as a springboard. Likely it is a combination of the two. But knowing this, history departments must understand that it is imperative that they prepare majors for graduate school and offer guidance in educational and career choices.

The Perspectives story also challenges the myth of the underemployed humanities graduate, pointing out that the flexibility of the history degree results in a wide range of earnings for degree-holders--which reflect the wide range of career choices pursued by history gradates.

In fact, there is little difference in career earnings students who graduate with degrees from disciplines in the humanities, life sciences, or social sciences and behavioral sciences (see chart below). However, it is true that the earnings from the disciplinary fields in these academic areas are lower, on average, than earnings for fields such as engineering, physical sciences, health and medical sciences, and business. Since the chart explores correlations between the undergraduate degree and lifetime earnings, it is important to note that what graduates do with their bachelor's degrees, including whether they pursue further education through graduate school or professional training, can make a big difference in terms of income. Note the variation in earnings from the lowest 25th percentile, the 50th percentile, and the highest 75th percentile. (This point about the "value added" by further education is also true for bachelor's-degree holders in most disciplinary fields.)

"Data source: American Academy of Arts and Sciences Humanities Indicators, table III-4a. Available at http://www.humanitiesindicators.org/content/indicatordoc.aspx?i=287." (source: Fig. 3 from "History Is Not a Useless Major")

The Perspectives story concludes by analyzing and contextualizing the data about the history degree:

In short, it is not that history majors are underpaid. It is that the diverse range of occupations that a history degree prepares them for includes several important, but vastly undervalued, public service careers. If the only consideration when choosing a major is whether you will be earning six figures by the age of 30, then history may not be the best field. But for students who are inspired by work in which the greatest rewards may not necessarily be financial, a history major remains an excellent option.

The ACS data shed fascinating light on some of the myths about life with a history degree. Majoring in history does not doom a graduate to a life of unemployment or under­employment. In fact, history majors go on to become much better educated than the average person, filling roles in a wider range of careers than holders of many other degrees. The worst that can be said of this situation is that many of those careers are socially undervalued. But that does not mean that a degree in history is any less valuable.

2015 G.O.L.D. Award Recipient Stephanie Foreman (Political Science, 2006)

Making a Difference 

Stephanie Foreman, 2015 Graduate of the Last Decade Award Winner 

On November 3, 2015, Stephanie Foreman (2006, Political Science) was recognized as the 2015 Daemen College Graduate of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D.) at the annual Distinguished Alumni Award Ceremony. Accepting the honor, Stephanie spoke of the lessons she derived from her experience as an undergraduate political science major at Daemen College, including making the most of every leaning opportunity.

Stephanie is a financial professional at Prudential Financial and the founding president of the Buffalo Urban League Young Professionals (BULYP). The distinguished alumni profile summarizes her many accomplishments:

Under Stephanie’s leadership, BULYP has been recognized from a number of different individuals and organizations, including the MLK Community Service Award from City of Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, Erie County Legislature Proclamation presented by Rep. Barbara Miller-Williams and, most notably, Outstanding National Rookie Chapter of the Year at the 2014 National Urban League Conference Young Professionals Summit. Some of Stephanie’s other affiliations include Member of the Board of Directors for the Buffalo Urban League, Field Advisory Council for Prudential, Secretary for the Judges Row Block Club Association, Mentor for the Youth Entrepreneurial Program, Member of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce and Member of the group Women in Networking. Stephanie has also received numerous awards and accolades for her work, including being a recipient of the CHANGEMAKERS 30 Under 30 Award in 2014, Million Dollar Roundtable for Prudential Insurance in 2011 and 2012, Life Concierge for Prudential Insurance in 2012 and 2013, Masters Council for Prudential Annuities in 2012 and 2014 and the Women Touching the World Award in 2015.

President Gary Olson and Stephanie Foreman 

Stephanie is the third graduate of the History and Political Science department to win this award in the last five years. Wayne Brown (History & Government, 2003) and McKenzie Higgins (Political Science, 2009) were honored as recipients of the G.O.L.D. award in 2010 and 2014, respectively. Wayne Brown founded a charity specializing in support and information for patients with rare diseases and is author of the book, Alone in My Universe: Struggling with a Rare Disease in an Unsympathetic World. McKenzie Higgins graduated from Western Michigan University - Thomas Cooley School of Law and is presently an Human Resources Compliance Specialist for M&T Bank in Buffalo. Both Wayne and McKenzie were on hand to congratulate Stephanie and welcome her into the community of Distinguished Alumni Award recipients.  

 Wayne Brown (2003), McKenzie Higgins (2009) and Stephanie Foreman (2006)
Daemen College Graduate of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D.) Winners: 2010, 2014, & 2015

What can you do with a History or Political Science Major?
Our graduates have embarked on a wide variety of successful career paths, including graduate study in international relations, law, law enforcement, and public service. Their collective success demonstrates the value of the History and Political Science degrees and a broad-based, liberal arts education. Our majors are making a crucial difference in their community and the world as models and agents for positive change. 

Interview with Professor Robert Blobaum, Eberly Family Professor at West Virginia University

Professor Robert Blobaum, Eberly Family Professor at West Virginia University (Morgantown, WV), discussed World War I, Buffalo, and the practical side of history in an interview with Tomasz Pudłocki (Assistant Professor of History, Jagiellonian University; Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence at Daemen College).

 

Prof. Robert Blobaum



Tomasz Pudłocki:  Not long ago, you participated in a conference on World War I (Death of Empires) at Daemen College in Amherst, NY. As the keynote speaker, you delivered a presentation on Warsaw during the Great War. How were you able to place events in Warsaw within the broader context of “the death of empires?” What can we say about life in this city during WWI? 

Robert Blobaum:  It was Warsaw’s fate to bear witness to the collapse of two of them during the First World War—that of the Russian Empire, which for Warsaw effectively occurred in August 1915 when the Russians were forced to evacuate the city, never to return, and then that of the Second German Reich whose forces occupied the city following the Russian withdrawal, only themselves to depart in the fall of 1918. One is tempted to add a third empire to this mix, the Austro-Hungarian, but its presence in the city was essentially a diplomatic one of ever dwindling influence. In many ways, life in Warsaw during the war was similar to that in imperial capitals such as Vienna, Berlin and St. Petersburg, particularly in regard to the experience of food supply, quality and distribution. In other ways, however, it was significantly different, for example, in the high level of unemployment and massive out-migration, voluntary and involuntary, of much of its working-age male population. 

T. P.:  You are well-known for your works on the Polish lands before 1914. Why did you decide to study World War I? Was it because of the centenary or is it a part of your broader interest? 

R.B.:  In part, it was a natural progression for me, after my earlier studies of the Kingdom of Poland and Warsaw before the First World War. I had planned to move on to the First World War somewhat earlier but another project, the organization and editing of a collaborative volume on antisemitism in modern Poland, intervened in the meantime. The centenary only came into play once I was finally able to begin my research on Warsaw during the war in 2008.  

T.P.:  You have studied Poland and Polish history for many years, and you have authored many books and articles. You have won many awards for your innovative approaches to issues in Polish history. Could you tell us how you became interested in Polish history? 

R.B.:  My original interest was actually focused on imperial and revolutionary Russia. The role of Poland and Poles in that history, however, had led me westward by the time I began my doctoral studies, eventually to my dissertation on Feliks Dzierżyński and then later to the Revolution of 1905 in the Kingdom of Poland. 

T.P.:  Is it easy to speak to an American audience about Polish affairs? Many Americans have trouble locating Poland on a map, not to mention the difficulties of pronouncing Polish names. Does this affect the popularity of your research? 

R.B.: Americans have difficulty with names in any other language other than English. Only a minority are able to pronounce my German surname properly. Once, however, Americans realize that they cannot hope to understand European history and affairs, particularly in the modern era, without knowledge of Poland at its epicenter, it’s a much easier sell. One can make the argument that Poland is as relevant as France and Great Britain, if not more so, to modern European history, but to do that it is necessary to demonstrate that Polish history is not and never has been peripheral. Given Poland’s location on the map of Europe, how could it be? 

T.P.:  Do you have any advice for students who are interested in Central and Eastern Europe? To what areas of research would you turn their attention? 

R.B.:  My first piece of advice is to familiarize themselves with one or more languages of the region. For example, to do Polish history justice, one should know at least four languages in addition to English: Polish, of course, but also Russian, German and Yiddish, not to mention Ukrainian, Belorusian, and Lithuanian. While I have some kind of proficiency in three of these of languages, I regret to this day that Yiddish is not among them. As for areas of research, the field is wide open. For example, when I have been asked to compare the experience of the Great War in Warsaw with that of other Polish cities, I can do so only in the most general terms because that work hasn’t been done in any systematic way for places like Kraków, Lwów, Poznań, Łódź, etc. Even for the Second World War, until the recent appearance of Joshua Zimmerman’s book on the Polish underground and the Jews this year, no serious scholarly monograph has gone beyond stereotypes to treat that controversial topic in a dispassionate and impartial way. In any event, there is much to do in practically every area of Central and East European history.   

T.P.:  And what about the nationality/ethnicity of the researcher? In your opinion, is it a factor that helps or hinders his/her research? Or does it matter? 

R.B.:  It shouldn’t matter but it has in the past, especially in dealing with issues of interethnic relations. One’s ethnicity can be beneficial, in adding nuance and insight about group thinking. Or it can be harmful, a source of bias and stereotypes. Often, one’s ethnicity is held against or in favor of the researcher, without any basis in the quality of research itself. For example, I have often been assumed to be Jewish because of my surname, which then has been said to disqualify me from making pronouncements on the history of Polish-Jewish relations. On the other hand, my actual status as a third-generation American of German descent for some has presumably endowed me with impartiality in dealing with such issues.  

T.P.:  Do you believe that universities and colleges in Buffalo, such as Daemen College, are good places to study Central and Eastern Europe? 

R.B.:  Definitely. First, because Buffalo and other cities on the Great Lakes and in the upper Midwest were major destinations of the Central and East European immigrants, so there is a natural audience of those looking to understand their roots beyond mere genealogy. Secondly, colleges like Daemen have recruited faculty, people like Professor Andrew Wise, who are skilled researchers and program builders. The “Death of Empires” conference is a testimony to such efforts, as was the amazing Nikifor exhibit at Daemen, organized by Professor Wise.  

Prof. Robert Blobaum and Dr. Andrew Wise

Dr. Wise, Prof. Blobaum, and Dr. Tomasz Pudlocki

T.P.:  In Poland, students often ask about the viability of degrees in the humanities. Are there jobs in the USA for persons interested in studying the history of Central or Eastern Europe? 

R.B.: There are jobs, but not necessarily in the academy or in teaching.  The private business sector in the United States, for example, hires more holders of Humanities degrees than one might imagine because it values research skills on the one hand, and communication skills necessary to relay information derived from research on the other. Often, private businesses have found that graduates of business schools and engineering programs don’t possess these important skills. My advice to students interested in the Humanities is to follow their passion, but combine that passion with at least some academic coursework and training in another discipline.  

T.P.:  I have the impression that the anniversaries connected with World War I (the Great War) are of greater interest to Europeans than Americans. There seem to be many more commemorations in Europe than in the USA. Why is this the case? 

R.B.:  The main reason is that the United States entered the war relatively late, officially in April 1917, but not until a year later did Americans appear in the trenches of the western front. The Great War was not nearly as traumatic for Americans as it was for Europeans. This is more important than the fact that none of the war was fought on American soil, which could also be said of the Second World War, but it is far more commemorated. Of course, how and to what extent the Great War is commemorated in Europe varies significantly from country to country as well. 

T.P.:  In conclusion, I would like to ask you about your forthcoming plans. The presentation at the “Death of Empires” conference at Daemen College is part of a larger book project. Could you share some thoughts about any other research projects? 

R.B.:  First, I need  to see my book on Warsaw during the Great War through to publication. That will take a year of revisions, editing, securing permissions for photographs and other images, indexing, etc.  Academic book publishing in the U.S. is a long process, even after a contract is signed. I also need to see through some smaller projects that have been accepted for publication—one on Polish-Jewish relations in Warsaw during the Great War, another on the role and limitations of "ego-documents” (personal correspondence, diaries, accounts, testimonies, memoirs) in conducting research on everyday life during wartime. Beyond that, we need to remember that Warsaw remained a city at war after the Great War, only now as the capital city of an independent Poland. While the Polish-Soviet war has been fairly well researched, we know little about its impact on living conditions in Warsaw, particularly as it became a frontline city in that conflict. Finally, I have been approached about co-organizing and editing a collaborative volume devoted to research on the social and cultural history of Central and East European cities during the Great War, cities which have yet to be examined and certainly not in any comparative way. I have already mentioned Polish cities like Poznań, Kraków, Łódź and Lwów, but cities like Budapest, Prague, Belgrade, Bratislava, and Vilnius—the list could go on—would also be included.

T.P.: Thank you very much.

AAUW Student Organization News

L-R: Jessica Mark, Natalie Ennis, Dior Manning, Dr. Penny Messinger, Ehlimana Imamovic, and Sonam Sherpa at the AAUW-NYS Convention on April 18, 2015

Daemen's new American Association of University Women (AAUW) Student Organization has had a busy and productive year. In fall 2014, AAUW student leaders worked on bylaws and plans for programs, setting the stage for a busy spring semester. In February, the college's Student Association (SA) granted official recognition to the AAUW Student Organization (an application for recognition by the national AAUW is pending). Members of our AAUW affiliate have held a number of successful on-campus events this semester, and were also active in some of the many events sponsored by the AAUW Buffalo chapter over the past year. Here are some of the highlights:

AAUW's International Women's Day: "Declaring Equality: Renewing a Legacy" (March 8)

Dior Manning (President of Daemen's AAUW Student Organization, at left )
and AAUW member Keyla Marte (4th from left) pose with Nadia Shahram,
Dr. Melinda Grube, and Coline Jenkins.

Dior Manning (President of Daemen's AAUW Student Organization), Keyla Marte (AAUW member and president of Daemen's Sister-2-Sister organization), and Dr. Penny Messinger attended the AAUW Buffalo Chapter's program to commemorate International Women's Day on March 8.

The program featured a conversation about women's rights--past and present--between Nadia Shahram and Elizabeth Cady Stanton (represented by historical reenactor Dr. Melinda Grube). Shahram is a Buffalo attorney and activist who advocates for Moslim women's rights; she is also president of the Coalition for the Advancement of Moslem Women. Shahram discussed women's rights as human rights and talked about the status and treatment of women in Iran and several other countries in the Middle East today. Melinda Grube, who is an adjunct professor of history at Cayuga Community College, appeared in costume as Elizabeth Cady Stanton, organizer of the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention and a major figure in the American woman's rights movement of the 19th century.

Women's History Month @ Daemen

The AAUW held and co-sponsored several events for Women's History Month, supporting the Women's Studies Program's active Women's History Month program. March is Women's History Month, but this year's program began in February and extended into late April.

On February 25, the AAUW sponsored a screening of Miss Representation, a documentary film that connects the distorted portrayal of women in the media with women's under-representation in political institutions.

The theme of women's empowerment continued during March with an event centering on the documentary, Girl Rising on March 4 (co-sponored by the AAUW and Sister-2-Sister). Girl Rising emphasizes the transformative impact of educating girls to end poverty. The two groups (AAUW & Sister-2-Sister) also collaborated on a Women on the Move! TGIF event held on campus on March 6.

Continuing with analysis of women's image in the media, the club held a well-attended forum on "Women's Sexuality in the Media" on March 18.

On April 2, the AAUW co-sponsored the Gender & Careers Panel Discussion/Mixer event (held in conjunction with the Daemen College/Rosary Hill Alumni Association, the Eaglette faculty women's group, and the Women's Studies Program). You can read more about this event at the story on the H&P Departmental blog linked here. The event was also marked by the conferral of the SOS Award, given to recognize female students who have demonstrated leadership on behalf of women. This is a new award (initiated 2015). At the event, Dr. Shirley Peterson, Dean of Arts & Sciences, conferred the SOS Award on behalf of the Eaglettes to two students who have distinguished themselves through campus leadership: Dior Manning and Annie Marie Rose. 

L-R: Dr. Penny Messinger, Dior Manning, Annie Marie Rose, 

and Dr. Shirley Peterson. 

Manning and Rose received the SOS Award

Students from the club staffed an informational table before the panel discussion and networked with members of the alumnae panel during the mixer.

L-R: Jessica Mark (AAUW VP for Programs), Stephanie Foreman 
(Daemen '06, alumni panel member), Emily Kraft (AAUW member), 
and Dr. Penny Messinger at the mixer.

The AAUW also collaborated on two successful events held in mid-April: the AAUW-NYS Convention and a bus trip to Seneca Falls (April 19).

@ the AAUW-NYS Convention

This year's AAUW-NYS Convention was held on Grand Island on April 18. Five students from Daemen attended the convention at sessions that comprised the Student Leadership Track.

Daemen students met Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul at the AAUW-NYS convention. 

(L-R): Ehlimana Imamovic, Dior Manning, Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul, 

Natalie Ennis, Sonam Sherpa, and Jessica Mark

Along with the keynote address by Dr. Donna Hernandez, President/CEO of the Buffalo Zoo, students met New York Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul after listening to her talk about the Women's Equality Agenda being considered by the NY State Legislature.

Students participated in workshop sessions on "Managing One's Digital Image," "Internships 101," and "Promoting Equality and Social Justice--Building your Career through Advocacy, Education, Philanthropy, and Research." They met student leaders from SUNY-Brockport and St. Bonventure University, and were able to meet and talk to state AAUW leaders in a networking session at the end of the day. 

"All in!" Jessica Mark (L) joins AAUW leaders, students from SUNY-Brockort, and AAUW college/university regional liaison Kimberly Pollard (3rd from left) in this group photo featured on the AAUW-NY facebook page as "the face of AAUW"

The final major event of the semester was an April 19 Field Trip to Seneca Falls, which was co-sponsored by the AAUW, the History & Government Club, and the Pre-Law Student Association. On April 19, the National Park Service held a "Find Your Park" Instameet event that we took part in. The group also visited several historic sites in Seneca Falls, with several students also entering photos in the "Selfies with Stanton" social media competition afterwards.

Daemen group members at the Women's Rights National Historical Park at Seneca Falls, NY

Daemen group in front, left, and center at the "Find Your Park" InstaMeet event. The bronze figures represent founders of the Woman's Rights Movement who participated in the 1848 convention

Are you interested in becoming part of the AAUW Student Organization? 

Membership in the AAUW Student Organization is open to all students at Daemen College (female and male). Daemen students are also eligible to become e-members of the national AAUW at no cost because Daemen has an institutional membership in the AAUW.

• Learn more about the Daemen College AAAUW Student Organization at our website

• Learn about the AAUW's benefits for students by visiting the AAUW's "For Students" page  and the AAUW's "6 Reasons Why You Should Become an E-Student Affiliate" page

• Join the AAUW as a student member by filling out the form at this link    E-membership is free for Daemen students and includes one-year free membership after graduation

• Or -- contact Dr. Penny Messinger, faculty advisor for the club and AAUW liaison for Daemen College at pmessing @ daemen.edu