Kelly Senters

Kelly Senters

Major1: Government and Law
Major2: International Affairs
Minor:  Mathematics
Thesis: The challenge of democratic transition and consolidation in Argentina and Chile:  Civil-military relations and political reconciliation

 

300 Word Statement

The Lafayette ideal is one who realizes, is receptive to, and is enthusiastic about what Lafayette’s community can inspire, train, and allow one to become.

For me, the college decision was simple.  Lafayette College:  An institution valued for providing opportunities for academic excellence, personal development, goal achievement, and service. However, upon my arrival to campus, I realized Lafayette’s true strength, its community.  The passionate, involved, and inspiring members of the Lafayette community, who work tirelessly without expectation of reward, serve as the institution’s foundation and make the Lafayette experience not only possible but highly desirable.

Throughout my time here, I have sought to become one such valuable community member.  Inspired by the whirlwind of productivity around me, I have challenged myself to take courses in many departments, serve as an EXCEL scholar, and participate in an interim study abroad program.  In doing so, I have been privileged to develop meaningful relationships with my professors and peers, become a well-rounded scholar, and cultivate qualities necessary for success.

Athletically, my teammates and coaches have instilled in me important life lessons, which have enabled me to reach my potential as an athlete and to become involved in athletic-related opportunities such as the Peer Mentor program.  Each has enabled me to give back to student-athletes.  My participation in Landis’s POSP program, three-year duration as a Resident Advisor, and volunteer experience in Peru has extended my service involvement.

The invaluable support of the Lafayette community has provided me with opportunities to excel academically, achieve my goals, and give back to others.  Through my shared experiences, I hope to have given to others what the many inspirational members of the campus community have given to me. They have enabled me to become the best version of myself and, thus, embody the Lafayette ideal.

 

Academic Activities and Total Years Involved

  • Recipient of the Minerva and Emil V. Novak Prize    1
    Awarded to one or more of the majors in the Department of Government and Law based on overall excellence in academic work and citizenship in the campus community.  Spring 2013
  • Recipient of the Eugene P. Chase Government Prize    1
    Awarded for the best written exposition in the field of political science submitted in a Department of Government and Law course.  Spring 2013
  • Phi Beta Kappa    1
    Academic honor society.  Pending induction in May 2013.
  • Sigma Iota Rho   1
    National International Studies Honor Society.  Inducted Spring 2012.  President of Lafayette branch from Spring 2012-present.
  • Pi Sigma Alpha    1
    National Political Science Honor Society.  Inducted Spring 2012.
  • Pi Mu Epsilon    1
    National Mathematics Honor Society.  Inducted Spring 2012.
  • Recipient of Latin American and Caribbean Studies Award    1
    Awarded annually to one Lafayette student who has shown exemplary scholarship and interest in the regions of Latin America and the Caribbean.  Spring 2012.
  • Excel Scholar    2
    January 2011-February 2012:  Participated in research examining political psychology and public opinion with Professor Elizabeth Suhay.  Completed content analysis on Presidential State of the Union speeches in an attempt to determine the way in which political figures use emotion- laden words in order to mobilize the public to act in a certain way or to adopt a particular viewpoint.  Utilized random-sampling techniques in order to obtain blog posts pertaining to Occupy Wall Street from websites across the political ideological spectrum to use for future content analyses.  Presented in three poster exhibitions to Lafayette faculty and students as well as prospective students.  Helped prepare article published article in Public Opinion Quarterly entitled “Does Biology Justify Ideology?:  The Politics of Genetic Attribution.”    Summer 2012: Served as a full-time, summer research assistant examining nationalism in Latin America.  Read extensively, critically analyzed relevant information, and collaborated with Professor Seo-Hyun Park to create a book manuscript detailing nationalism in Latin America and East Asia.
  • Senior Honors Thesis    1
    Currently writing a Senior Honors Thesis entitled “The Challenge of Democratic Transition and Consolidation in Argentina and Chile:  Civil-Military Relations and Political Reconciliation.”  In my thesis, I argue that militaries’ significant leverage and bargaining power in Argentina’s and Chile’s late-twentieth century transitioning societies greatly impacted the reconciliation process and, thus, the prospects for democratic consolidation.  I prove this through  qualitative analyses with information obtained from both primary and secondary sources.
  • Dean’s List    4
    Fall 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012; Spring 2011, 2012.

 

Campus Activities and Total Years Involved

  • Resident Advisor    3
    Oversee upperclassmen residence hall with over 50 residents.  2010-2012- RA in Soles Hall.  2012-Present- RA in Watson Courts.  Develop and deliver programming to create and ensure a cohesive and productive living environment.  Enforce college policies to maintain safety of residents.  Attend weekly staff meetings with Residence Hall Staff.  Completed three years of diversity training.  Selected as Lafayette College Residence Life Staff Member of the Year 2011-2012.  Fall 2010-present.
  • Peer Mentor    2
    Serve as an effective resource for student-athletes and develop a rapport with five assigned students individually.  Meet with program director weekly to discuss assigned students and prepare progress reports.  Present a variety of workshops to student-athletes and FYS classes in the fall.  Fall 2011-present.
  • Track and Field Representative of Student Athlete Advisory Committee    3
    Promote athletic events, get athletic teams involved in community service, and unite athletes from all the sports.  Attended All-Patriot League SAAC Leadership Retreat in Baltimore to represent Lafayette College in October 2010.  Fall 2010-present.
  • Gateway Parents’ Weekend Panel Speaker    1
    Spoke with parents and students about my experiences in the Gateway program and encouraged involvement with the Gateway Career Center.  Fall 2011.
  • Nominated to serve as a Student Committee Member for Government and Law Department    1
    Met with and listened to lectures given by prospective Comparative and International Politics professors.  Discussed prospective candidates with current faculty members and provided written evaluations of the candidates.  Summer 2012.

 

Community Service and Total Years Involved

  • Lafayette Pre-Orientation Service Program    1
    Co-ran the Teens in the Community (TIC) Day Camp, a day camp for teens (ages 12-17) from the Easton community.  Engaged in volunteer projects and organized/participated in activities with the campers.
  • Clínica San Juan de Dios    1
    Volunteered in Cuzco, Peru at Clínica San Juan de Dios, a home and hospital for students with a variety of physical and mental disabilities as well as illnesses. Utilized Spanish language skills to help feed and entertain children.  Also assisted in laundry facilities.  January 2012.
  • Camelot for Children    5
    Junior Board Member/Volunteer:  Planned activities, fundraised, and volunteered at Camelot for Children, an organization to benefit children with physical and mental handicaps. (Fall 2005-2009)  Volunteered 2009-2012.  Currently volunteer sporadically.
  • Recipient of the James F. Bryant ’40 Excellence Award    1
    Awarded annually to one Lafayette College junior who meets standards of excellence by demonstrating high academic achievement, lettering in at least one varsity sport, and showing noticeable and noteworthy evidence of community service.  Spring 2012.

 

Athletics and Total Years Involved

  • Lafayette Division I Track and Field Team    4
    Varsity letter winner every indoor and outdoor season.  Patriot League Championship qualifier each indoor and outdoor season.  Recipient of the Lafayette Track and Field Best Teammate Award in Spring of 2010.
  • Track and Field Captain    1
    Lead workouts and act as liaison between coaches and team members.  Bi-weekly meetings with other captains and coaches.  Involved in interview process for coaching position.  Fall 2012-Spring 2013.
  • Peer Mentor    2
    Serve as an effective resource for student-athletes and develop a rapport with five assigned students individually.  Meet with program director weekly to discuss students and prepare progress reports.  Present a variety of workshops to student-athletes and FYS classes in the fall.  Fall 2011-present.      Track and Field Representative of Student Athlete Advisory Committee    3
    Promote athletic events, get athletic teams involved in community service, and unite athletes from all the sports.  Attended All-Patriot League SAAC Leadership Retreat in Baltimore to represent Lafayette College in October 2010.  Fall 2010-present.
  • Nominated to Lafayette Oak Leadership Academy for scholar-athletes    3
    Attend monthly sessions given by an associate professor from Ithaca College to enhance student-athlete leadership skills.  Fall 2010-present.
  • Recipient of the James F. Bryant ’40 Excellence Award    1
    Awarded annually to one Lafayette College junior who meets standards of excellence by demonstrating high academic achievement, lettering in at least one varsity sport, and showing noticeable and noteworthy evidence of community service.  Spring 2012.

 

Special Interest and Total Years Involved

  • Lafayette Interim Trip to Peru    1
    Participated in a Lafayette faculty-led  study abroad program in Lima, Cuzco, and Aguas Calientes, Peru.  Lived with a Spanish-speaking host family in Cuzco.  Volunteered at Clínica San Juan de Dios.  Attended classes at Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola in both Lima and Cuzco.  Created a detailed journal regarding my experiences with indigenous Peruvian culture.  January 2012.
  • Lafayette Fellowship of Christian Athletes    1
    Bible study and fellowship opportunity for Lafayette athletes.  Fall 2010-Fall 2011.
  • Gateway Program    3
    Participant in the Lafayette College’s Gateway Program.  Fall 2009-present.
  • Externship- Court of Common Pleas, Easton, PA    1
    Shadowed and gained insight on the career of a Northampton County Courthouse judge.  January 2011.