Leah Swope
Home State: Berwyn, Pennsylvania
Intended Major: Human Rights and Political Science
Why did you choose Trinity?
Trinity offered me everything I was looking for during my college search. A close knit community where no one presence on campus dominates over the rest, an urban environment with easy access to the State Capitol (important to me as a political science major), and an interdisciplinary Human Rights major that allows me to study criminal justice, something I’ve always known I want to focus in on.
Did you attend an admitted student event and how was it helpful? If not, how did you take advantage of opportunities to connect with Trinity before arriving on campus?
I attended an admitted student event knowing I was coming as I had heard back as an ED2 applicant. The visit to campus reaffirmed for me that I had made the right choice in applying early decision and committing to Trinity. I sat in on an English class in one of the beautiful Seabury rooms and fell in love again with the way each student seemed to feel at home and comfortable in the class setting. The professor was engaging and knew each student’s name, and I could easily picture myself enrolled in a similar class the following year.
Tell us about your First Year Seminar or Gateway program experience. How have these programs shaped your academic journey?
My experience with the Community Action Gateway program has largely defined my first-year academic journey. The program has allowed Hartford to be an extension of the classroom for me, both in terms of relating the systematic issues we discuss in class to the city and getting involved with community partners on semester long projects. The students in my class all come from different backgrounds and have different experiences than my own, which has allowed classroom discussions to be exciting and meaningful. I have found the Gateway program has pushed me, from the day I arrived on campus, to fully embrace and understand Hartford. This has been one of the most meaningful experiences Trinity has given me.
How have you become involved on campus and in Hartford?
Through the Community Action Gateway program, I am currently working with a group to pass a bill that will allow parolees the right to vote. This work has given me invaluable exposure to the processes of testifying, lobbying, and pushing a bill through; as well as consistently getting me off campus and into the city for work at the Legislative Office Building. Studying at a school located so close to the State Capitol has allowed me access to experiences as a first-year student that I never would have imagined. It has really given me an appreciation for the value of studying at an urban liberal arts school. Studying in Hartford has given me the opportunity to get heavily involved in community service work. I mainly spend time volunteering with Trinity’s Homelessness Project; a club dedicated to fighting the issue of chronic homelessness in Hartford. This club, and many others that I have spent time with, have allowed me to get outside my comfort zone and meet many of the amazing and dedicated people in Hartford working to improve the city every day. The ability to so easily get involved in Hartford has quickly become one of the most valuable characteristics of Trinity to me.
What has been the most valuable takeaway during your first year of college?
Trinity has the ability to open so many doors for its students from the minute they step foot on campus. Simply going to talk to a professor or attending an information session can lead you to extremely useful experiences. Trying new things and getting outside of your comfort zone can be the quickest way to make the most of your Trinity experience.
