Sara Yeganeh

Sara Yeganeh

First Major:     GOVT
Second Major: PSYC

Thesis: Voter Preferences in Political Advertisements (Government & Law)

300 Word Statement

Like many seven year olds, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and began to understand more of the world, I became even more determined to make that difference.  My time at Lafayette has allowed me to explore and grow as a student and as an individual. From my coursework and my thesis research about questioning voter preferences, I have learned to challenge the status quo and be persistent in my passions.  Like so many of my classmates, I was inspired by professors to become involved on Lafayette’s campus.

In my first year at Lafayette I joined different student organizations and was resolute on reshaping my community by working with other impassioned students in the Association of Lafayette Feminists as well as the College Democrats to raise awareness about issues and to create change on campus even in a small way. Working with the feminists encouraged me to become a Resident Advisor where I was able to share and grow with underclass females in a way that has truly changed my life. I had the honor of advising some of the strongest female leaders on campus today.

Seeing others transform before your eyes in a residence hall, in a student organization and even in the classroom is an incredibly powerful phenomenon that encouraged me to become more involved on a state and international level joining activist movements and working with professors on relevant research.

I had feared going to college would force me to abandon my childhood dreams however, at Lafayette my passions have been allowed to thrive and mature, transforming me into the proud, educated, and empowered woman I am today. Lafayette, and specifically, the individuals that together create the Lafayette community, have carved and shaped my ideas and aspirations and have taught me how to be an activist, a friend, a role model, a scholar, and most importantly a dreamer.

 

Academic Activities/Awards – Total Years Involved

Senior Thesis 1
I am conducting my senior thesis research project under the advisement of Professor Elizabeth Suhay in the Government & Law Department. We are conducting an empirical study that is assessing voter preference of candidates using political advertisements. We are assessing the variables of ideology, level of distraction of the advertisement as well as quality of the candidate. I consulted with Professor John Shaw on the experimental design of the project and with Professor Michael Feola on the theoretical aspect of the project. My project has been approved by the Institutional Review Board and I am currently in the testing phase of the project.

National Conference for Undergraduate Research
I attended the National Conference for Undergraduate Research this April (2014) at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. I presented a poster on my thesis research.

EXCEL Scholar Program 4
I worked collaboratively with Professor John Kincaid in the Meyner Center for the study of State and Local Government on research projects on the topic of federalism. For one project we conducted a content analysis of speeches and documents from the George W. Bush presidency. For another project we analyzed the opinion of U.S. Supreme Court cases for reference to federalism and state and local government content. I began working for Professor Kincaid as a first-year student and have continued conducting research with him into my senior year.

Psi Chi, International Honor Society in Psychology 2
As a member of Psi Chi, I actively attend meetings as well as attend events and lectures on the topic of psychological research. As a chapter we have active discussions with faculty in and outside the department.

Pi Sigma Alpha, National Political Science Honor Society 2
As a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, I have been recognized as a student of Government & Law with academic excellence. Membership has allowed me to attend an annual banquet for the department as well as serve as a student liaison for the External Review Board.

Minerva & Emil V. Novak prize in Government and Law Presented annually to a students majoring in government and law based on overall excellence in academic work and citizenship in the campus community.
This year I had the high honor of being awarded this prize after four years in the department.

Academic Department Representative, Presidential Inauguration
I acted as the student representative for the Department of Government & Law during the inauguration of President Alison Byerly.

 

Campus Service/Activities and Awards – Total Years Involved

Head Resident Advisor 1
Worked my senior year as one of eight Head Resident Advisors on campus. I oversee six buildings, ten Resident Advisors and over two hundred students. As an HR, I act as a resource and correspondent between student staff and the Office of Residence Life.

Resident Advisor 2
Worked as a Resident Advisor my sophomore and junior year at Lafayette in Ruef Hall and McKeen Hall respectively. As an RA I promoted intellectual, social and personal growth for residents by being a resource for first-year female living communities. I managed a floor in terms of both facility issues as well as interpersonal conflict. As a Resident Advisor I have handled the interpersonal and legal issues associated with sexual assault, biased related incidents, mental health issues, as well as substance abuse cases.

Association of Lafayette Feminists 3
I joined ALF my first year and was voted President my second semester and stayed President until my junior year. I organized and planned meetings and events where discussions about topics ranging from sexual assault to women in the media. I planned the week of events for “Take Back the Night” for two years and assisted the search committee to find a Dean of Gender & Sexuality programs. I also assisted in the production of “The Vagina Monologues”. As a part of the Lafayette Feminists I was able to explore my opinions and beliefs about our current wave of feminism as well as continue my work as an activist on campus, educating others about the plight of women in the United States and around the world.

Amnesty International 3
I joined Amnesty International my first year and was an active member organizing events and assisting with the public relations. My sophomore year I became Vice President and worked heavily on the event Jamnesty to raise money for a NGO in Uganda. My junior year I became President of the organization and managed meetings, recruited new members and organized brown bags on issues about the human trafficking as well as the issues with education surrounding Malala. I organized and executed write-a-thons where students gathered to write letters to other nations governments regarding the unethical detainment of different prisoners of conscience. I also assisted in organizing a trip to the Mid-Atlantic Amnesty International Conference in Washington, D.C. where myself along with other Lafayette students and other activists protested the White House about prisoners of conscience.

Lafayette College Democrats 3
I joined the College Democrats my first year and became Vice President for both my sophomore and junior years. During this time I assisted the President with running meetings, organized student forums as well as lectures on democratic issues. I spent my time with the College Democrats organizing numerous Voter Registration drives and hosted State of the Union and Election Debate viewing parties. I worked with my fellow students to campaign for both local and national elections. As a member of the College Democrats, the ultimate goal was to get our campus active by registering the entire campus to vote.

Multimedia Coordinator- Recreation Service 1
I worked for Recreation Services as the Multimedia Coordinator (Associate Supervisor) to spearhead a new campaign to market and promote Group Fitness and Intramural Sports events. In this role I researched and organized social media and advertising operations as well as incentive programs.

Search Committee- Dean of Gender & Sexuality 1
Served on the search committee for the Dean of Gender & Sexuality. In this role, I worked with another student and a few faculty and staff members to interview candidates for the position.

International Students Association 3
Coming from an Iranian family, I was interested in joining the the International Students Association. I have attended meeting and brownbags. As a member of the ISA I have met numerous students with a variety of perspectives and even attended a International Student Town Hall to discuss issues facing international students on campus.

Rookie Resident Advisor of the Year (Residence Life)
I was awarded Rookie Resident Advisor of the year after my first year as a Resident Advisor in Ruef Hall. I was awarded this honor for being an effective role model and resource for twenty amazing female residents who have definitely made a large impact in my time here at Lafayette.

TEDxLaf Planning Committee 2
Spent my first two years at Lafayette on the committee to plan and execute TEDXLaf which was a week of speakers on a variety of topics and has transformed into a day-long conference of student and outside speakers.

Aaron O. Hoff Award for Outstanding Service Organization (Amnesty International)
Amnesty International during my Vice Presidency in 2012 won a Hoff Award for Outstanding Service Organization on campus. This honor was awarded to our organization for the many awareness and fundraising events we hosted throughout the year.

 

Community Service – Total Years Involved

Alternative School Break 1
I participated in an Alternative School Break trip to Asheville, North Carolina with our leader Tatiana Logan (Class of 2013) and faculty advisor, Dr. Megan Rothenberger (Biology). The topic of the trip of environmental injustice focusing on the issues of coal ash being incorrectly stored and leaking into the water supply. We worked with the Western North Carolina Alliance as well as Green Opportunities canvassing and caring for a community garden. As re-orientation leader, I researched how this issue of coal ash is radically effecting the Lehigh Valley. I organized a brown bag discussion and collected post cards to send to our Congressman, Matt Cartwright, encouraging him to act on this issue.

Organizing for Action 1
I worked as a fellow for Organizing for Action, an issue advocacy group, assisting the State Director of the organization. I worked with the Director planning state-wide conferences and phone-banking events. Our group focused on issue advocacy for environmental and immigration issues.

Voter Registration Volunteer (Democratic Party of Easton) 2
I worked with students on campus as well as members of the community to organize voter registration drives. I went door-to-door in the West Ward of Easton to register voters. Collaborated with the Democratic Party of Easton to register voters in the area.

Friends In Service Here (FISH) 4
Worked with a Girl Scout troop to support the FISH program at the Lutheran Church. This program prepared food for those who have lost their homes. We also aided and watched the children after dinner to give parents a break after their work day. I used to participate in this program as a Girl Scout when I was younger and I assist younger troops in continuing this program.

Kathryn B. Davis Projects for Peace Finalist
With two other Lafayette students, an engineer and an African policy student, I applied for the Kathryn B. Davis Projects for Peace grant. Our project was to bring the solar bottle bulb along with sustainable jobs to the poverty stricken areas of Kigali, Rwanda.

Girl Scouts of America 4
After earning my bronze, silver and gold awards, I am now a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts of America organization. Over the past four years I have participated in a mentoring program with the organization. I have mentored younger girls and assisted them with their commnity projects.

Athletics Activity/Award – Total Years Involved

5k for Congo Women
As a first-year student at Lafayette, I ran a 5k with other members of Amnesty International to fundraise for Congo Women who are the victim of the sexual assault and internal conflict happening there.

YMCA Mini Triathlon
Participated in a mini triathlon at the local YMCA my sophomore year.

ISA Soccer 1
The summer after my first year at Lafayette I met with other members of the ISA and enjoyed a universally loved sport.

Tour de Fitness
I participated in the Tour de Fitness incentive program hosted by Recreation Services.

 

Special Interest – Total Years Involved

Intern, Democratic National Committee 1
Interned in Washington D.C. at the Democratic National Committee Headquarters. I worked in the Office of the Secretary for Secretary Alice Germond. I certified delegates for the convention, dealt with DNC member affairs and assisted with social media and website relations. As an intern I also had the benefit of working with the Marketing department as well as getting an inside view on how a political party is run and organized. I was able to go to lectures hosted by numerous politicians, lobbyists and political activists.

Volunteer, Democratic National Convention 2
Following my internship with the DNC, I was invited as a volunteer to assist with the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC. I managed roll call for half a dozen states and was given the opportunity to meet some of my greatest heroes like Congressman Barney Frank and Secretary of State John Kerry, as well as witness the President accept his nomination for a second term.

Regional Director- Students for Barack Obama 2
Oversaw the organizational aspect of the Students for Barack Obama Campaign on six campuses within the Lehigh Valley (including Lafayette). I trained leaders on each campus and assisted them in recruiting volunteers. I planned a training weekend and organized and executed many volunteer events including phone banking and canvassing. I worked to get students on campuses involved in their communities and in their countries political process.

Volunteer, Somerset/Easton Democratic Party
Volunteered for over a dozen campaigns ranging from the state level to the national level. Most notably worked on the Linda Stender, Frank Launtenberg, Matt Cartwright and Barack Obama campaigns. As a volunteer I have canvassed door to door,  and participated in phone banks.

Paul Tully Memorial Prize
Presented to the student who best exemplifies the progressive principles of social and political service- democratic ideals to which Paul Tully devoted his life. I received this award my first year at Lafayette for my political and activist work for different campaigns

Lafayette Leadership Institute
Attended the Lafayette Leadership Institute as a first-year student and attended workshops on event planning.

“Finding We” Conference/ Multi-Cultural Competency Training
Participated in multi-cultural competency training for three years at Lafayette where student leaders discussed issues like micro-aggressions and by-stander effect and talked about how stereotypes manifest themselves on campus.

Externships Program
Participated in three different externships across my time at Lafayette. First with alum Judge Joel Pisano at the Federal District Courthouse in Trenton, NJ, then with Jeanne Straus the President of Straus News, a local newspaper in Chester, NY, and lastly with alum Jordan Brugg, a executive search firm of Spencer Stuart. These experiences allowed me to interact with different members of the extended Lafayette Community and better understand the specifics of their field of interest.