2017-Kaitlin Kinsella

Kaitlin Kinsella

First Major: Government & Law
Second Major: Philosophy
Minor: Women & Gender Studies

300 Word Statement

When I committed to Lafayette College four years ago, I had no idea how much Lafayette would challenge me. Nor did I conceive of finding such a close-knit community both on campus and in the Easton community at large. Lafayette College, which truly promotes a culture that embraces the cur non motto, teaches you to not be afraid of trying new things. To me, the Lafayette Ideal is about being brave, about being your best authentic self, and about challenging your comfort zone. Four years ago, the idea of standing in front of an audience would have left me shaking in my shoes. But I have spent my entire college career facing my fear on the Forensics (Speech and Debate) Team—and, now, I can confidently stand in front of a room and deliver a powerful, impassioned message. Before Lafayette, I thought I was an active citizen in my community. I had never fathomed that the service I was providing might not actually be helpful. However, Lafayette and the Landis Center has ingrained in me that being an active citizen is more than just service, it’s consistent education and reflection. Over the past few years I have discovered new passions (e.g., combating hunger and homelessness on a local scale) and have strengthened passions I already knew I had (e.g., fighting against sexism and sexual violence). Through service programs, guest lectures, studying abroad, and academic research I have been able to challenge the lessons society has constructed, lessons that I had taken for granted. As a result, I have learned to be open to new and different perspectives. Looking back at my time at Lafayette, I can confidently say that I have grown. I have learned to be confident, to challenge myself, and to always try new things.

Academic Activities/Awards – Total Years Involved

Phi Beta Kappa (1)
On May 1, 2016 I was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. Phi Beta Kappa elects membership to students who have “demonstrated both breadth and depth of liberal learning and who have in the process established for themselves academic records of unquestioned excellence.”
Honors Thesis: New York Human Trafficking Intervention Courts (1)
For my senior thesis in the Government & Law Department, I am investigating the New York Human Trafficking Intervention Courts. In particular, I am analyzing the conflation of prostitution and sex trafficking and investigating whether litigants are perceived as victims or defendants in this problem-solving court.
Minerva & Emil V. Novak Prize (1)
I have been selected to be a recipient for the 2017 prize. The prize is “presented annually to a student(s) majoring in government and law based on overall excellence in academic work and citizenship in the campus community.”
Recipient of the Edith A. Gorsuch and the Henrietta S. Treen scholarships from the Center for Scholarship Administration (1)
For the 2016-2017 calendar year I was selected to be a recipient of these two scholarships. Scholarships are given to students demonstrating high personal character that are preparing themselves for a profession in ministry, law, or medicine.
Pi Sigma Alpha (1)
I will be inducted into this society in April 2017. This honor society recognizes “outstanding students in political science.”
Lafayette Forensics Society (Speech and Debate) (4)
As a member of the Forensics Team, I have competed in speech tournaments at both the local and national level (e.g. National Forensic Association Tournament and Pi Kappa Delta Tournament). I have primarily prepared speeches in the field of persuasion and rhetorical criticism. As a sophomore, I served as Vice President. As a senior, I serve as the team’s President.
Published Speech- Unpaid and Unprotected: Sexual Harassment Against Unpaid Interns (2014) (1)
As a result of placing second in the Pennsylvania Forensics Society State Tournament, I qualified for the Interstate Oratorical Association Tournament at James Madison University April 25-26, 2014. In addition to receiving a bid to this tournament (the oldest oratorical contest in the United States) my speech was published in the book “Winning Orations.”
Dean’s List (4)
I have made Dean’s List every semester at Lafayette.

Campus Service/Activities and Awards – Total Years Involved

LiveWell Adviser (formerly known as LDAPA) (4)
In the Spring of 2014, I joined the newly established Lafayette Drug and Alcohol Peer Advisors (LDAPAs). As an LDAPA, I helped plan/execute several education sessions for first-year students in addition to planning campus-wide events. As a sophomore, I served as the Outreach/Public Relations Chair before becoming the Vice-President as a junior. This past Fall (Fall 2016) the LDAPAs moved away from focussing solely on drugs and alcohol and transitioned to focussing on the eight dimensions of wellness. For the 2016-2017 calendar year I served as co-president of the LiveWell Advisers.
Student Representative on the Alcohol and Other Drugs Standing Committee (3)
I have been a student representative for the Alcohol and Other Drugs Standing Committee (AODSC) since my sophomore year.
Kirby Government & Law Society (4)
Over the past four years, I have been heavily involved with the Kirby Government & Law Society. Since sophomore year I have held an officer position in this organization. As a senior, I serve as the society’s President.
Mock Trial (1)
During my first year at Lafayette, I competed with Lafayette’s Mock Trial Team. Our team made it to the 2014 Opening Round Championships, the second round of the national tournament.
Pre-Orientation Service Program (3)
The Pre-Orientation Service Program (POSP) is “an immersive service experience that unites First-Year Students, Returning Leaders, Faculty, Staff, and Community Members in an inclusive environment before the Fall Semester begins.” I have be a first-year POSP participant, a Camp Director (for the West Ward Neighborhood), and most recently the Assistant Executive Director.
Facility Monitor (Recreation Center) (3)
For three years, I have been a Facility Monitor at Kirby Sports Center. As an FM, I am responsible for greeting patrons, handling emergencies/injuries, and answering any questions patrons might have as they enter the facility.

Community Service – Total Years Involved

Meals at Third St. Alliance (2)
For two years, I have volunteered at Third St. Alliance preparing/cooking meals for the women and children residing at Third St. Alliance, a transition shelter in downtown Easton. I am currently the program coordinator for this MOSAIC program.
Safe Harbor (1)
Safe Harbor is Easton’s adult homeless shelter. As a sophomore, I was the program coordinator for this MOSAIC program.
Lafayette Hunger Coalition (1)
The Lafayette Hunger Coalition is a branch of Easton’s Hunger Coalition. As a program coordinator for this MOSAIC program (Spring 2016-Fall 2016), I worked on creating education, advocacy, and service opportunities related to hunger on Lafayette’s campus. This group was involved in planning the 2016 Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week at Lafayette College.
MOSAIC (Program Coordinator/Team Leader) (3)
Since my sophomore year at Lafayette I have been a program coordinator within MOSAIC Staff. MOSAIC is a branch of the Landis Center and offers students a weekly volunteer opportunity. I have been the program coordinator for: Safe Harbor, Hunger Coalition, and Third St. Alliance. I was selected to be a team leader for the 2016-2017 calendar year. As a team leader I lead a team of seven program coordinators. Additionally, my team was was responsible for organizing the second annual Criminal Justice Reform Awareness Week. This year’s theme was “An Intersectional Analysis of the Criminal Justice System.”
Alternative School Break (2)
For the 2014-2015 calendar year, my team investigated the social issue of poverty in developing nations. During winter interim my team “Poverty in Developing Nations” spent a week in Las Brisas, El Salvador. For the 2016-2017 calendar year, I wasinvolved with the ASB Team “Mythbusters”. ThisASB trip wasabout sexual assault awareness and prevention. Over Spring Break, our team traveled to Pontiac, Michigan to volunteer with a Domestic Violence shelter/non-profit.
Learning Assistance Program (1)
While abroad, I was involved with the Learning Assistance Program at the Copenhagen International School. For this program I provided English tutoring to a ninth grade student weekly.
Hotline Counselor (1)
In the summer of 2015 I served as a Hotline Counselor for the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center. As a Hotline Counselor I provided trauma support, referrals, validation, and emotional support to sexual assault survivors.
Pard Projects/One-Day Service (4)
Over the past four years at Lafayette, I have participated in several Pard Projects (one-day service projects) in addition to the annual Make A Difference Day and Lafapalooza (the Fall/Spring Lafayette day of service).
DIS Refugee Action Committee (1)
While abroad, I helped establish the DIS Refugee Action Committee. This committee was created in order to engage students in awareness, while additionally providing education about possible action steps that could be taken to address the current refugee crisis. One of the projects we worked on was creating a backpack that was sent to Syrian and Turkish Children in a public school in Turkey. For this project, I interviewed the International Organization for Migration and Dignity (a Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims) to gain a better understanding of how mental health and trauma could impact refugee children.

Athletics Activity/Award – Total Years Involved

Special Interest – Total Years Involved

Intern at English At Large (1)
In Summer 2015, I was an intern for a non-profit organization that provided English tutoring to refugees and migrants. In addition to participating in a conversation group, I provided assistance to the executive director as the development intern in addition to assisting the volunteer coordinator.
Intern at the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas (1)
I was an intern for the Honorable Judge Roscioli. I procured this internship as a result of being a Gateway Student with Lafayette’s Career Services. In addition to attending court weekly, I assisted the Judge in preparing for a lecture at the Council of Lafayette Women 2016 Conference.
HOLA Floor (2)
For my sophomore and junior years, I lived on the special interest floor HOLA (which looked into the Heritage of Latin America). I decided to join this floor as a result of my interest in Latin America.
Foodie House (1)
For my senior year, I am living in the Foodie House. I was particularly interested in this house after being involved with the Hunger Coalition and learning about food waste. In addition to engaging in social justice discussions, I enjoy cooking with my housemates.
Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office Intern (1)
This past summer I was a Victim Witness Advocate Intern at the Roxbury District Court. As an intern, I was able to provide information, support, and assistance to witnesses, crime victims, and their families.