Ideopolis Volume 4, Issue 2, Spring 2017

Volume 4, Issue 2

Spring 2017

idea noun \ī-ˈdē-ə, -ˈdēə also ˈī-(ˌ)dē-ə or ˈī-dē\: a thought, plan, or suggestion about what to do; an opinion or belief; something that you imagine or picture in your mind polis noun \ˈpä-ləs\: a Greek city-state; broadly: a state or society especially when characterized by a sense of community

An Ecuador Education

by Nicole Nehiley ’17, Bayley Forshee ’18, and Leah Kiernan ‘17

Political Science Department Career Day Event Mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 29th!

Bayley Forshee and friends

This past winter break, we enrolled in a Pre-Spring course that challenged us in ways no other class has challenged us.

“Field Work Ecuador” is a service-learning course that gives students the opportunity to travel to Ecuador and work on a self-sustainability project at an orphanage, while also getting to experience all the exciting things Ecuador has to offer. Led by Dr. Jill Harrison and Dr. Maria Lawrence, our project was geared around building a hydroponics lab for the school so they can grow their own fruits and vegetables. Hydroponics is the process of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions without soil. It can help the orphanage grow organic food in a shorter period of time than the traditional method.

The Political Science Department, along with RIC’s Alumni Association, will host a networking luncheon from from 12 to 2 in the Faculty Center South Dining Room. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet and mingle with Poli Sci, PA, INGOS, and Geography alumni in the workforce.

continued on page 9 1

Volume 4, Issue 2

Spring 2017

A RIC Welcome to Welcoming Rhode Island Welcoming Rhode Island Exhibition: Celebrating Vibrant and Diverse Communities of Rhode Island DATE: Wednesday, April 12th, 2017 TIME: 6:00 p.m.—7:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Rhode Island College Student Union Ballroom ADMISSION: Free and open to the public

The Political Science Club, Anthropos, Asian Student Association, and Junior Class Council, in collaboration with Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island, will host an evening celebrating diversity on Wednesday, April 12th, from 6:00–7:30 p.m. in the Rhode Island College Student Union Ballroom. The event is free and open to the public.

The event will feature the Welcoming Rhode Island traveling exhibit, a display of i m m i g ra n t a n d re f u g e e s t o r i e s o f migration to the Ocean State. Hosted by Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island, Welcoming Rhode Island is a community-based initiative that seeks to affirm our state as a welcoming place for all. Welcoming Rhode Island’s mission is to bridge the divide between foreign-born newcomers and native-born Rhode Islanders to foster a more inclusive and

welcoming atmosphere. The initiative is designed to shift the topic of immigration away from contentious debate and to encourage rational and respectful dialogue. Individuals who are featured in the exhibit include Victor Morente ’14, who serves as Press Secretary for Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, and Carlos Fernandes, member of the Community Advisory Board of the Institute for Portuguese and Lusophone World Studies at RIC. To learn more about Welcoming Rhode Island, visit: http:// www.welcomingri.org.

POL 350 students enrolled in “Global Migration: The Refugee Journey,” a new To p i c s c o u r s e t h i s s e m e s t e r, a r e participating in the event and are excited to help bring the community together to create an awareness about global migration issues that they are examining in the classroom. In addition to the exhibit, t h e e v e n i n g w i l l f e at u re a d a n c e performance by the Congolese Refugee Yo u t h D a n c e G r o u p a n d l i g h t refreshments. Bring your classmates, friends, and family for an evening of cultural performances, food, and celebration of Rhode Island’s rich diversity of cultures!

For more information, please contact Mary Ellen Lynch at mlynch1@ric.edu.

2

Volume 4, Issue 2

Spring 2017

Alumni Spotlight: Emmanuel Echevarria Emmanuel Echevarria '10 is the Chief Innovation and Pe r f o r m a n c e Officer (CIPO) in t h e administration of Providence Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. As the C I P O , Emmanuel leads the Department of Innovation, an office established to increase the transparency, efficiency, and performance of the city through continuous improvement and performance measurement.

The Department of Innovation assists other city departments to maximize efficiency through capacity building such as Lean Methodology training, project management, as well as process and systems implementation. Emmanuel first joined the Elorza administration in October of 2015 as a project manager. In July of 2016, he was appointed to his current position. As CIPO, Emmanuel has focused on the development of a performance dashboard for the City that will be available to the public to show how Providence plans to improve education, economic opportunity, the vibrancy of neighborhoods, and the effectiveness of city services. He is also developing a new stocktaking process that allows multidisciplinary teams to address these priority areas through routine group evaluations of departmental goals and data.

Before working in government, Emmanuel was a program manager at the Rhode Island Parent Information Network, where he implemented and oversaw the operations of Rhode Island’s Affordable Care Act Consumer Assistance Program, then known as RIREACH. Emmanuel led a team of caseworkers who empowered clients to resolve insurance issues through education and, when necessary, vigorous advocacy during the benefit denial and appeal process. Due to his advocacy work, Emmanuel was appointed to serve on the O f fi c e o f t h e H e a l t h I n s u r a n c e Commissioner’s advisory board and on the Rhode Island Quality Institute’s Consumer Advisory Committee "My family moved to this country when I was five. We left Peru because of social unrest, terrorism and poverty,” recalls Emmanuel. “As I got older, I realized that I had a lot of questions about human and organizational behavior that I never got answers to, and the experience of fleeing political turmoil, coupled with my interest in public administration and policy made Political Science a natural fit.”

Emmanuel majored in Political Science and History, graduating with a 3.73 GPA. “I still remember and appreciate all the time I spent in the Political Science department as a volunteer and as the president of the Political Science Club. Professors Richard Weiner and Michelle Brophy-Baermann always made time to meet with me to discuss everything from my courses the next semester to healthcare policy.”

Emmanuel married Ashleigh Echevarria ’13 (Psychology) in 2009. Together, they have three children, Emmanuel II, Arabella, and Genevieve.

3

Volume 4, Issue 2

Spring 2017

INGOS CORNER

In the Know about INGOS? Exciting things are happening in the INGOS program this semester. Three of our INGOS students—Bayley Forshee ’18, Nicole Nehiley ‘17, and Leah Kiernan ’17—travelled to Ecuador over winter break to work in an orphanage outside of Quito and to complete an INGOS internship. Please see the article on their great experiences on page one. Here in Providence, INGOS Social Entrepreneurship students are working on issues of food justice, while INGOS global migration students are working with refugees. Upcoming events include a human rights film screening and an event to welcome refugees to Providence.

Three INGOS classes are running this s e m e s t e r i n t h e Po l i t i c a l S c i e n c e Department, including INGO 301 Applied Development (taught by Carse Ramos), INGO 302 Social Entrepreneurship (taught

by Robyn Linde), and POL 350 Global Migration (taught by Mary Ellen Lynch). In Professor Linde’s INGO 302, students have developed a research project in South Providence documenting food deserts and

grocery gaps that deny residents access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Please see page eight for Silvia Castro’s ’20 story about the great work our students are doing in the field! Mary Ellen Lynch’s POL 350 course on global migration, also an INGOS elective, has been engaged in important work this semester, with students visiting the Women’s Refugee Care program and Dorcas International.

Mary Ellen Lynch’s POL 350 course at Women’s Refugee Care

They are also working on some larger projects, including welcoming refugees to 4

Volume 4, Issue 2

Rhode Island and a fascinating project on “Global Providence.” Be sure to check out Professor Lynch’s article on page two.

Additionally, the INGOS program and Political Science Department are bringing to campus Jane Wells of 3 Generations, an NGO that produces human rights films, on Thursday, April 13 (please see our flyer below). At 4:00 p.m. in Sapinsley Hall, Jane will show the documentary film Night Will Fall about the liberation of the BergenBelsen concentration camp and efforts to suppress the film footage for 40 years, footage produced by her father, Sidney Bernstein, and future famed director Alfred Hitchcock. Everyone is invited. The event is free and open to the public.

Students interested in international nongovernmental organizations can enroll in Global Politics (POL 203) in the fall, as well as take Introduction to INGOS (INGO

Spring 2017

300/POL 345). Students who take INGO 300/POL 345 can get credit for an elective in political science and a core course in the INGOS program.

Finally, the INGOS program is designed to help students connect with global civil society on issues of pressing international concern. We provide a way for you to engage with the world. As you continue to process the results of the 2016 presidential election and its global effects, please consider community opportunities and internships (local, national, or international) to dedicate yourself to upholding your values in these turbulent times. Speak with Professor Linde for more information on courses, internships, and opportunities for engagement. Open office hours for Spring 2017 are 12–2 p.m.

Thursdays, in Craig Lee 232.

5

Volume 4, Issue 2

Spring 2017

Public Administration Corner

The PERKS of Being a PUB AD Major!

Dr. Leazes, Director of the Public Administration Program, accepted an invitation to partner with faculty from Brown and Bryant Universities to undertake a comprehensive study of the impact of the 2014 voter approved $35 million bond that provides funds for capital investments in the state's arts and preservation organizations. The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA), the College and From back to front: Brittany University Research Collaborative Williams, Michelle Arias, and the Rhode Island Historical and Genesis Sanchez.

Pre s e r v a t i o n a n d H e r i t a g e Commission (RIHPHC) launched the Creative and Cultural Economy initiative. The purpose of the initiative is to use non-partisan, evidence-based research in Rhode Island policy decision making.

Part of the research design is to c o n d u c t a rt s a n d p re s e r v a t i o n organization Focus Groups. Three Public Administration majors in the Public Budgeting course this semester volunteered (well there was a lunch and a small stipend involved) to provide staff support at the largest forums that featured nearly 40 arts

organization executives and board members. Seniors Genesis Sanchez, Michelle Arias and Brittany Williams experienced real world administrative pressure and showcased their Excel and public speaking skills at the Fe b r u a r y 4 t h f o r u m . T h e y organized the 200+ audience survey responses and coded open ended responses within 25 minutes and then provided a w e l l r e c e i v e d fi v e m i n u t e presentation of the results.

Last semester, in Foundations of Public Administration, two RIC Public Administration alums, Kimberly Reynolds ‘00 and Lucas Dieter ’14, explained their roles as Budget Analysts in the RI state budget process.

They also shared with students how the RIC RIC Alumni Kim Reynolds and Public Administration Lucas Dieter, speaking to Dr. Leazes’ POL 301 class. program helped prepare them for obtaining an of the MPA degree and the positions they now occupy.

6

Volume 4, Issue 2

Spring 2017

Internships Dr. Perrotta is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s Washington DC Internships. Each student will spend one week this summer in the office of Senator Reed, Senator Whitehouse, Rep. Langevin, or Rep. Cicilline:

Margaret Desjarlais ’18 Bayley Forshee ‘18 Jennifer Moreta ‘18

Nicole Nehiley ’17 Nicholas Phaneuf ‘18 Derrik Trombley ‘17

Dr. Leazes reports the following internship placements for Spring 2017 State Internship Class: • • • • • • • • •

Mustafa Shaker (The Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal) (Pol Sci & INGOS) Rachel Caliri (RI Commission on Human Rights & Dorcas International Institute) (Pol Sci) Youssef Sharoubim (Clerk at the 6th District Court) (Pol Sci & PA) Jessica Rinker (Senate Fiscal Office and Senator DiPalma) (Pol Sci) Bassel Nader (RI Commission on Human Rights) (Pol Sci) Olivia McGowan (RI Family Court) (Pol Sci & PA) Derrik Trombley (RI Senator Felag) (Pol Sci & PA) Taylor Dame (Office of Lt. Governor) (Pol Sci & PA) Kayla Littlefield (Newport Hospital Business and Marketing Department) (Pol Sci &PA & INGOS) • Benjamin Deluca (Senator Archambault) (Pol Sci & PA) The following Political Science Majors are in the Field Experience internship class (POL 328): • Ryan Foley (RI Attorney General: Civil Division) (Pol Sci) • Emmanuel Marsh (RI Attorney General: Civil Division) (Pol Sci) • Stephanie Shaker (AHOPE RI) (Pol. Sci & INGOS) In addition, a number of Justice Studies students in POL 328 are interning at the Providence, Lincoln, Bellingham, and Marlboro Police Departments; RI Adult Probation; the South Side Boys and Girls Club Princes to Kings Program, and with the RI Attorney-General.

7

Volume 4, Issue 2

Spring 2017

South Providence is Their Classroom: INGOs 302 Studies Food Deserts

by Silvia Castro ‘20

A “food desert“ is defined as a community that lacks access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Food deserts happen in areas where there are not enough farmer’s markets, grocery stores, or corner stores providing affordable and healthy food.

This spring, in INGOS 302: INGOs and Social Entrepreneurship, students are involved in a big project on food deserts in South Providence.

may analyze the data and create maps.

Guest Speaker Philip Trevvett from Urban Greens gave the students an amazing presentation about the new food co-op being opened in Providence. Trevvett discussed the positive outcomes the food co-op will bring to the community, including the availability of fresh and affordable food. The project itself made students aware of the big problem that food deserts create in the community, as well as ideas for combatting food deserts.

In class, students were placed into three different groups that were assigned different locations in both upper and lower South Providence. The main objective of the groups is to locate the nearest stores that carry both fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as to locate the bus stops nearest the stores. While students collect the data in the community, in class they discuss questions and concerns about the project overall. The data students are collecting will be shared with Geography students in the upcoming fall semester so that they Evan LaCross and Gian-Carlo Rossi in

The project is not only a way to have students interact with the community; it helps them understand the importance of access to fresh and healthy food and to familiarize themselves with organizations, policy makers, and others who work to decrease the number of food deserts in South Providence.

Mekong Market, Providence

8

Volume 4, Issue 2

Spring 2017

An Ecuador Education, continued from page 1 In doing so, we held art activities to get the kids excited about hydroponics, led classes in the hydroponics lab, worked in the garden planting and composting, and even got to go into the English classes and help teach and assist the teachers.

We worked side by side with the Henry Davis community, who were so welcoming and appreciated our help in their school. The kids especially left an impact on all of us. However, those two weeks in Ecuador was a lot more than just a project to many of us. We stayed at the orphanage and spent almost every minute of the day with the orphans, students, teachers, and staff at the Henry Davis Foundation. We got to know the stories of the kids and their house moms over dinner every night, shared laughs at

play time, and got to give the kids the extra tender, love, and care that they want and need. While learning about them, we learned a lot about ourselves too. We all stepped out of comfort zones; whether it was trying to lead a class with kids who only speak Spanish with just a semester of Spanish 101 under our belts, or during our weekend trips when we were all chest deep in a flowing river in a dark cave with only head lamps to guide us. It’s safe to say that every single one of us surprised ourselves with what we were capable of doing. We were all reluctant to leave when our two weeks were up, and none of us would hesitate to go back. We found a new home in Ecuador with the Henry Davis Foundation family.

Nicole Nehiley and friends, Ecuador

Leah Kiernan and friend, Ecuador

9

Volume 4, Issue 2

Spring 2017

Rosa Parks Sat Down So I Could Stand Up

by Nicauris Heredia ’17 and Genesis Sanchez ‘17

being in Washington, D.C. for both of these events.

From left to right: Carson Moore, Taylor Dame, Michelle Arias, Nicauris Heredia, Genesis Sanchez, Esther Watrous, Jevonte Silva, Bayley Forshee, Derrik Trombley, and Lindsey MacDonald

It’s true what they say about going for a walk.

When you’re in desperate need of some perspective, a brisk stroll to get the blood moving can do wonders. Sometimes it’s most helpful to walk alone. Sometimes it’s good to have 2.7 million friends walk alongside you.

The day after the Presidential Inauguration, women across the nation marched across the country and the world, in what, according to the media, may have been the largest demonstration in U.S. history. The march came as a unifier after experiencing the inauguration of a president that polarized the nation. The Political Science Club and College Democrats had prime seating in the making of history by

More than just a march, Saturday January 21st was the first day of a new global movement.

There were thousands of women, children, and even men supporting the rights of many oppressed, underrepresented, and ostracized groups. The Women’s March was not just a reminder to the new administration that the public is paying attention and will not remain quiet while their rights get trampled on. It was also a message to the public itself. It was a reminder that we are powerful, and that united we stand regardless of what tries to divide us.

It served as a beacon, a sliver of hope which showed us that no matter how much those in power may shake their fists and attempt to intimidate and silence us, their ability to govern is contingent upon our willingness to be governed.

Our time at the March also reminded us of the differences that continue to divide our country.

We flew home exhilarated, inspired, and connected to millions of individuals all over the world. We hope this is just the beginning of our dialogue and of more action to come.

By participating in the Women’s March on Washington, we felt that we were coming together with millions of others to say that we will not remain quiet. We have a responsibility to stand up to oppression, regardless of whether or not that oppression affects us directly.

From left to right: Jevonte Silva, Carson Moore, Michelle Arias, Esther Watrous, Nicauris Heredia, Bayley Forshee, Lindsey MacDonald, and Genesis Sanchez

10

Volume 4, Issue 2

Spring 2017

Getting ready to move! Sometime after graduation, we will be moving to our new home on the second floor of Gaige Hall. We have been luckier than other departments in that we have not had to relocate to temporary space during construction. It also looks like almost all Political Science classes will be able to meet in Gaige. I’ve been able to tour the building several times during the construction process, and I think faculty, staff, and students will be pleased with the department space, the classrooms, and the common areas.

Registration for Fall 2017 is nearly here. If you haven’t already made an appointment with your advisor, please do so now. Remember that you should complete POL300 (Methodology in Political Science) and POL308 (Current Political Controversy) before taking most of your other 300-level courses. Also, remember that at least two of your upper-level courses must come from the list of writing courses, which can be found on your transcript and on the department’s advising sheet. Finally, please consider an internship course (POL327 or POL328). Employers highly value job applicants who have the practical experience that internships provide.

Honors Thesis. Students who have a GPA of 3.25 overall and 3.4 in the major are eligible to write a thesis to earn departmental honors. This year-long project involves taking an independent study in the fall semester and another in the spring. It’s an excellent opportunity to develop research and writing skills that will help you in the workplace or graduate school. It also looks good on your résumé. If you are graduating next May and interested in pursuing this, now is the time to start. Think about a topic that you would like to research and speak with a professor who teaches that subject. A very brief application should be completed by April 15th to get approval to start the project in the fall. You can pick up an application from our honors director, Dr. Brophy-Baermann.

Applying for Graduation. Please remember to apply for graduation when you reach 90 credits.

This can be done online through MyRIC. The Records office will audit your transcript and confirm what requirements you need to meet before graduating. Do not wait until your last semester to do this! Of course, you are responsible for knowing your requirements, and for consulting with your advisor, but Records is the office that issues diplomas, so make sure you confirm with them.

Dr. Thomas Schmeling

11

Volume 4, Issue 2

Spring 2017

Ideopolis Rhode Island College Department of Political Science 600 Mt. Pleasant Ave. Providence, RI 02908

Editor Michelle Brophy-Baermann

Visit the Political Science Department's website and Facebook page!

IDEOPOLIS WANTS YOU! If you like to write and have ideas for the newsletter, consider joining the Editorial Board. Ideopolis comes out once each semester. Send all comments, questions, suggestions, news and more to mbrophy@ric.edu.

Find this and previous issues of Ideopolis online at: http://issuu.com/ideopolis, or on the Political Science website.

12