Political Science

Political science alumni take their talents to Washington, D.C.
Carlos, Escalante land work on Capitol Hill

Two recent political science graduates from Eastern Connecticut State University recently began their professional careers in the nation’s capital. Grace Carlos ’23 serves full-time as...

Posted on October 13, 2025 by Noel Teter '24

For Drouin sisters, road through Eastern leads to Ph.D.s

Erin (’16) and Renee (’15) Drouin have a close relationship as sisters — “above average closeness,” according to Erin. They also share the uncommon bond of both...

Posted on July 21, 2025 by Noel Teter '24

Governor Lamont discusses globalization, housing, and DEI with students

Governor Ned Lamont visited Eastern Connecticut State University on May 6, where he met with university administrators and students during a productive and thoughtful campus visit. After a meeting...

Posted on May 15, 2025 by Michael Rouleau

Political science honor society hosts discussion on housing crisis
State Department of Housing joins Pi Sigma Alpha

Eastern’s chapter of the Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society hosted a discussion on housing issues on May 7 in the Gelsi-Young Hall Connecticut Room. In collaboration with...

Posted on May 12, 2025

Eastern alumna excels as appellate public defender
Ruth Burke '20 passes bar, begins legal career

An alumna of the Department of Political Science, Philosophy, and Geography at Eastern Connecticut State University recently passed the Connecticut Bar Exam and now works as an appellate attorney....

Posted on March 24, 2025 by Elisabeth Craig

Local politicians visit Eastern for environmental panel discussion
Panel is part of Eastern’s Big Read program

Windham Mayor Tom DeVivo and Connecticut State Rep. Susan Johnson visited Eastern Connecticut State University for a panel discussion on March 4 in the Fine Arts Instructional Center Proscenium...

Posted on March 05, 2025 by Noel Teter '24

Post-election panel analyzes turnout and historical precedents

Eastern Connecticut State University hosted a “Post-Election Reflections” panel on Nov. 13. The discussion was moderated by history Professor Tom Balcerski and political science...

Posted on November 20, 2024 by Darlene Orozco B. '28

Local political parties urge voter turnout
'Youth is the future of politics'

Major political parties visited Eastern Connecticut State University from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4 to engage with students during a weeklong schedule of events as a part of Eastern’s larger...

Posted on October 15, 2024 by Kyle Berson

‘Voting Matters’ kicks off with political panel featuring acclaimed professors

Eastern Connecticut State University began its “Voting Matters” week on Sept. 30 with a thought-provoking panel discussion featuring political science experts from prestigious...

Posted on October 02, 2024 by Kyle Berson

Eastern inducts hundreds into honor societies in spring 2024

More than 20 academic programs and departments at Eastern Connecticut State University recognized student achievements this spring 2024 semester during honor society inductions and award ceremonies.

Posted on May 16, 2024

Political science honor society hosts first ‘Emerging Minds’ conference

Eastern Connecticut State University’s political science honor society hosted a conference “for students by students” on April 5 in the Science Building lobby. The inaugural...

Posted on April 11, 2024 by Katherine Escalante

Eastern brings together experts to consider solutions to opioid epidemic

Experts on opioid epidemic open community dialogue at Eastern
Veteran EMT shares first-responder insights

Early in his career as a paramedic, in the 1990s, Peter Canning responded to a cheerleading accident in which a high school girl broke her back. Two years later, he responded to her again, this...

Posted on March 06, 2024 by Michael Rouleau

2 students travel to Puerto Rico to present AI research

Two students at Eastern Connecticut State University who are native Spanish speakers recently presented important research on technology while in a setting reminding them of home. Katherine...

Posted on January 17, 2024 by Noel Teter

National Student Exchange opens doors for Eastern students

Students study afar through college exchange program

Just as some Eastern students choose to study abroad, others come from far away for a semester at Eastern. Through the National Student Exchange (NSE) program, two students from Guam and Canada...

Posted on December 12, 2023 by Marcus Grant

Social Action Day tackles opioid crisis

Addressing the nation’s opioid epidemic was the topic of this year’s Social Action Day on Oct. 31, during which students prioritized an awareness campaign about this decades-long...

Posted on November 08, 2023 by Michael Rouleau

History majors uncover lost relics in Willimantic Town Hall

Eastern history majors and members of the History Club uncovered centuries worth of historical documents in the top floors of the Willimantic Town Hall at the conclusion of the spring 2023 semester.

Posted on October 04, 2023 by Elisabeth Craig

Lastrina paves her way for a career in human rights law

A political science major at Eastern Connecticut State University was recently accepted into a scholarship program that will enrich her law school application. Isabelle Lastrina ’24 was...

Posted on September 27, 2023 by Noel Teter

Students recall summers abroad

Eastern Connecticut State University offers countless opportunities for students to grow as intellectuals, professionals and people. Over the summer, students had the chance to travel outside the...

Posted on September 12, 2023 by Marcus Grant

Students reflect on summer 2023 internships

While summer may be a time for rest and relaxation, many Eastern students take it as an opportunity to gain work experience via internships, allowing them to apply lessons learned in the classroom...

Posted on August 30, 2023 by Marcus Grant

Students present in Wisconsin at National Conference on Undergraduate Research

Eastern Connecticut State University sent eight students to the University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire on April 13 to present their research findings at the National Conference for Undergraduate...

Posted on April 27, 2023 by Jack Jones

Senator Chris Murphy addresses students’ concerns

U.S. Senator Chris Murphy fielded questions ranging from gun violence to foreign policy at an open forum on April 12 sponsored by the Political Science Club and the Department of Political Science,...

Posted on April 17, 2023 by Jack Jones

Connecticut attorney general speaks with Eastern students

Speaking to a crowd of Eastern students, faculty and staff on April 5, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said the reasons why he pursued his law career and went on to become the first Asian...

Posted on April 06, 2023 by Amanda Irwin

Student Katherine Escalante advocates for DACA on Capitol Hill

Sophomore political science major Katherine Escalante received the chance of a lifetime this November when she was invited to Washington, D.C, to advocate for Deferred Action for Childhood...

Posted on November 28, 2022 by Katherine Escalante

College Democrats reactivate just in time for Election Day
Student organization brings top Democrats to campus

Gov. Ned Lamont, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Atty. Gen. William Tong and other top Democrats in the state came to Eastern on Nov. 4 to encourage students to vote on Election Day. The event happened...

Posted on November 10, 2022 by Jack Jones

Student artist displays her Mental health inspired work

Eastern hosts COPLAC’s Northeast research conference

Eastern hosted the Northeast Regional Undergraduate Research, Scholarly and Creative Activity Conference of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) on Oct. 28-29. The conference...

Posted on November 07, 2022 by Jack Jones

Pi Sigma Alpha students table for voter registration

Pi Sigma Alpha receives grant to promote voter registration

Eastern Connecticut State University’s Political Science honors society, Pi Sigma Alpha, recently hosted a voter registration event on Oct. 26. Aiming to promote civil engagement and register...

Posted on November 01, 2022 by Molly Boucher

Supreme Court hears 2 cases at Eastern
‘On Circuit’ gives students up-close look at judicial process

Eastern Connecticut State University hosted the Connecticut Supreme Court on Oct. 19 as it heard two cases in the Concert Hall of the Fine Arts Instructional Center. The event marked the return of...

Posted on October 26, 2022 by Noel Teter

Students participate in SRIs at Eastern.

Research institutes examine big data, political ideology and literary scholarship

Eastern hosted three Summer Research Institutes (SRIs) at the conclusion of summer break. Occurring from Aug. 22 – 26, the weeklong institutes engaged 29 students in the fields of English,...

Posted on August 29, 2022 by Dwight Bachman

Matthew Rukgaber and his new book, “Nietzsche in Hollywood: Images of the Übermensch in Early American Cinema.”

Rukgaber publishes book on Nietzsche in Hollywood

Matthew Rukgaber, lecturer in the Department of Political Science, Philosophy and Geography, has published a new book, “Nietzsche in Hollywood: Images of the Übermensch in Early American...

Posted on March 30, 2022 by Dwight Bachman

Campus Briefs

CCE hosts ‘Big Brothers Big Sisters’; Biology major receives travel award; ‘Eye-Mind-Body’ presents drawing in action; Vasillopulos and Rezai author new books; and more.

Posted on March 08, 2022

Pi Sigma Alpha receives grant for political debate

Eastern Connecticut State University’s political science honor society, Pi Sigma Alpha, has been awarded a Chapter Activity Grant by the national honor society to help facilitate a debate...

Posted on March 07, 2022 by Molly Boucher

Vasillopulos' new book interprets Greek tragedy 'Medea'

Christopher Vasillopulos, political science professor at Eastern Connecticut State University, recently authored a new book titled “Interpreting Euripides’s Medea from Aristotelian and...

Posted on March 07, 2022 by Bobbi Brown

Students 'test the waters' via internships in fall 2021

Eastern Connecticut State University students have immersed themselves into real-life practice through internships during the fall 2021 semester. Ranging from work with probation officers to...

Posted on December 01, 2021 by Molly Boucher

Campus Briefs

Shackathon exposes students to substandard housing; Class Day celebrates sophomore students; Canterbury book draws international celebration; and Vasillopulos to sit on accreditation panel of Greek...

Posted on October 26, 2021

Vasillopulos to sit on accreditation panel of Greek university

Political Science Professor Christopher Vasillopulos has been asked by the Athens, Greece-based Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to serve on a Hellenic Authority for Higher Education (HAHE)...

Posted on October 25, 2021 by Dwight Bachman

Eastern partners in AAC&U-sponsored open educational resources project

Eastern Connecticut State University was recently selected to participate in an Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) project to accelerate the development and adoption of...

Posted on September 29, 2021 by Dwight Bachman

4 faculty authors publish new books

Four faculty members from Eastern Connecticut State University have recently published academic books spanning philosophy, Caribbean economics, the musicality of film and Latina leadership. The...

Posted on September 29, 2021 by Bobbi Brown, Molly Boucher, Dwight Bachman

Vasillopulos and 'alter ego' author book on state of America

Christopher Vasillopulos, political science professor at Eastern Connecticut State University, has published a new book, “Aristotle’s Ghost: How Good Free Men Built Good Free...

Posted on September 22, 2021 by Dwight Bachman

Eastern is top university for ‘Opportunity Scholars’
TheDream.US program provides full scholarships to undocumented students

Since TheDream.US started its groundbreaking scholarship program to support undocumented students in 2016, it has relied on five institutions nationwide to host more than 600 Opportunity Scholars....

Posted on July 15, 2021 by Michael Rouleau

Eastern political science student receives Gilman Scholarship to study in Costa Rica

Eastern Connecticut State University student Aicha Ly has been named a recipient of the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s...

Posted on June 08, 2021 by Michael Rouleau

Olivia Anderson presents on climate change politics at Posters on the Hill

Eastern Connecticut State University student Olivia Anderson recently presented at the prestigious Posters on the Hill Conference on April 28.

Posted on May 05, 2021 by Molly Boucher

“Turn on the Light” by Karla Pacheco-Sahagun

21st CREATE conference available online
Virtual symposium showcases the best of student research and creativity

Eastern Connecticut State University’s 21st annual CREATE conference is being presented online for the second year in a row. CREATE stands for “Celebrating Research and Creative...

Posted on April 28, 2021 by Michael Rouleau

Campus Briefs

Students volunteer at mobile food pantry; Eastern to offer in-person graduation ceremony for Class of 2020; Theatre student Capri Agresta accepted into grad program on full-tuition waiver; and...

Posted on March 25, 2021

Political science students present at Pi Sigma Alpha national conference

Eastern Connecticut State University political science students Mary Greenwell ’21 and Trevor Mays ’22 recently attended the Eighth Annual Pi Sigma Alpha National Student Research...

Posted on March 24, 2021 by Molly Boucher

Attorney Dana Bucin explains career as immigration lawyer

Immigration law was the topic of a virtual presentation at Eastern Connecticut State University by guest speaker Dana Bucin on March 17. Courtney Broscious, associate professor of political...

Posted on March 22, 2021 by Molly Boucher

Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz, associate professor of English education at Teachers College, Columbia University.

Columbia professor encourages 'The Archaeology of Self' to end racism

It is rare to see a college professor begin a lecture with a moment of silence, but that is how Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz, associate professor of English education at Teachers College, Columbia...

Posted on February 24, 2021 by Dwight Bachman

Campus Briefs

It's been a busy couple weeks: The first Collegiate Virtual 5K; the conclusion of a prolific pandemic-inspired CCE project; the Black Student Union marches; the Political Science Departments...

Posted on November 02, 2020

Eastern faculty participate in nationwide Scholar Strike

Eastern Connecticut State University professors recently participated in the Scholar Strike, a national movement created to educate and encourage conversations about racism in today’s...

Posted on September 16, 2020 by Molly Boucher

Eastern Alumna accepted into Connecticut Governor’s Innovation Fellowship

Eastern Connecticut State University alumna Julia Medina ’20 is one of 19 members of the first cohort of college graduates selected by the Connecticut Governor’s Innovation Fellowship...

Posted on September 04, 2020 by Bobbi Brown

Vasillopulos Represents Eastern in Greece, China

Christopher Vasillopulos, professor of political science at Eastern Connecticut State University recently served on a higher education board in Greece and presented research in China.

Posted on November 20, 2019 by Molly Boucher

President Elsa Núñez with the 12th class of Eastern Fellows: Cody Guarnieri ’09, Larry Smith ’77 and Justin Piro ’05.

3 Alumni Inducted into Eastern Fellows Program

Eastern Connecticut State University inducted its 12th class of distinguished alumni into the Eastern Fellows Program on Oct. 23. Cody Guarnieri ’09 is a lawyer and partner with the law firm...

Posted on October 24, 2019 by Michael Rouleau

Shawn’s Cupboard Combats Food Insecurity

Research has shown that college students are disproportionately impacted by food insecurity in America, with up to half of them lacking consistent access to food. At Eastern Connecticut State...

Posted on March 25, 2019 by Jordan Corey

Eastern Presents Annual Dr. MLK Jr. Awards

Political Science major Morgane Russell ’19; Isabel Logan, assistant professor of social work; and Leah Ralls, president of the NAACP Windham/Willimantic Branch, received Dr. Martin Luther...

Posted on February 27, 2019 by Dwight Bachman

Eastern Professor Patrick Vitale Wins Ashby Prize

Patrick Vitale, a geography professor at Eastern Connecticut State University, recently won the Ashby Prize for the most innovative paper of 2017 in the journal “Environment and Planning A:...

Posted on November 29, 2018 by Raven Dillon

Scholar-Activist Speaks on ‘Forgotten’ Bangladesh Genocide

Mofidul Hoque, acclaimed scholar and founder of the Liberation War Museum, came to Eastern Connecticut State University on Nov. 7 to give a presentation titled “The Forgotten Genocide of...

Posted on November 15, 2018 by Raven Dillon

College Democrats Bring Ned Lamont to Eastern

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ned Lamont visited Eastern on Oct. 30 for a meet-and-greet organized by the student organization College Democrats.

Posted on October 31, 2018 by Michael Rouleau

Charlotte Braziel, Shawn Meaike and Raymond Hill sit on a panel moderated by Interim Provost for Academic Affairs William Salka.

FBI, Military, Social Work: 3 New Eastern Fellows Inducted

Three distinguished alumni from Eastern Connecticut State University were inducted into the Eastern Fellows Program on Oct. 19. In addition to joining the ranks of the University’s most...

Posted on October 30, 2018 by Jolene Potter

Attorney Ruth Santiago Discusses Solutions to Restore Puerto Rico

Climate advocate and attorney Ruth Santiago came to Eastern Connecticut State University on Oct. 24 to discuss the environmental and electricity struggles faced by Puerto Rico in the aftermath of...

Posted on October 25, 2018 by Jordan Corey

Students pose in the cloud forest reserve

Students Study within Jungles of Costa Rica

On May 20, 14 Eastern Biology students and professors Patricia Szczys and Matthew Graham traveled to Costa Rica to conduct research in that country’s tropical forests.

Posted on August 15, 2018 by Dwight Bachman

Eastern Student Wins Fulbright Scholarship to Study in Indonesia

Eastern Connecticut State University student Adam Murphy ’18 has been awarded a Fulbright-Hays Scholarship to study Indonesian language in an intensive-language program in Salatiga,...

Posted on May 11, 2018 by Ed Osborn

Eastern Professor Courtney Broscious, U.S. Representative Joseph Courtney and Tess Candler.

Eastern Student Presents at 'Posters on the Hill' in Washington, D.C.

Eastern Connecticut State University student Tess Candler ’18 of Ledyard was one of two researchers from Connecticut given the distinguished opportunity of presenting their projects at the...

Posted on April 20, 2018

Eastern Professor Presents at Symposium on Bolivia

Eastern Political Science Professor Martin Mendoza-Botelho was invited by a small group of panelists to discuss “Bolivia: Assessing the Contemporary Social and Political Landscape” at...

Posted on March 09, 2018 by Anne Pappalardo

Weather Underground Co-founder to Speak at Eastern

Jonathan Lerner, novelist, magazine editor and political activist from the 1960s, will speak at Eastern Connecticut State University this coming Monday, Feb. 12, at 7 p.m. in the Student Center...

Posted on February 08, 2018 by Ed Osborn

Professor Asks, “Who is Puerto Rican?” at Eastern

Charles Venator-Santiago, a political science professor at the University of Connecticut, appeared at Eastern Connecticut State University on Sept. 20 to discuss the extension of U.S. citizenship...

Posted on September 26, 2017 by Jordan Corey

Kayla Giordano Presents Political Research on Capitol Hill

Eastern student Kayla Giordano '17 was among only 60 students from across the country to present at Posters on the Hill (POH), a highly competitive undergraduate research conference held...

Posted on May 05, 2017

Elona Vaisnys Inspires College Students About CEP

Elona Vaisnys of the League of Women Voters of Connecticut spoke to Eastern Connecticut State University students on April 4 about the importance of the Connecticut Citizens' Election Program...

Posted on April 11, 2017 by Christina Rossomando

Eastern Professor Named American Council on Education Fellow

The American Council on Education (ACE) announced today that William Salka, professor of political science at Eastern Connecticut State University, has been named an ACE Fellow for the 2017-18...

Posted on April 03, 2017 by Ed Osborn

Eastern Announces Fulbright Student Award

Eastern Connecticut State University is pleased to announce that Quanece Williams '16 of Bridgeport, CT, has been awarded a Fulbright U.S.

Posted on April 03, 2017 by Ed Osborn

Eastern Wraps Up University Hours for October

Eastern Connecticut State University’s University Hour series brought a number of interesting speakers to campus in October.

Posted on November 10, 2016

Eastern Faculty Create ‘Democracy at Work’

With the 2016 presidential election drawing near, politics have taken center stage at Eastern Connecticut State University. In order to generate student discussion around the election, Eastern...

Posted on October 12, 2016 by Jolene Potter

Eastern to Host Series of Events around Election 2016

As the 2016 election cycle moves into its post-Labor Day countdown, Eastern Connecticut State University has created a series of education events and programs designed to highlight the issues...

Posted on September 07, 2016 by Edward Osborn

Top Eastern Students Named Barnard Scholars

Two of Eastern Connecticut State University’s top students were named Barnard Scholars on April 6 at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville, CT. The annual Henry Barnard Distinguished Student...

Posted on April 08, 2016 by Michael Rouleau