Over the next few weeks, CUGS will be celebrating members of the class of 2021 who have left a mark on Trinity College and those around them. We’ll be posting interviews with selected seniors as our Senior Spotlight series. Meet Caroline Munn, a senior Urban Studies and American Studies double major from Garden City, N.Y.
How would you describe your time as an Urban Studies major at Trinity?
“My time as an Urban Studies major at Trinity has opened my eyes to so many immersive educational opportunities and adventures. In 2019, I was fortunate to study during J-Term in Zanzibar, Tanzania under the supervision of Professor Myers, where we analyzed the impact tourism has on the environment. Additionally, I studied in Copenhagen, Denmark during the Spring of 2020 where I took classes centering around sustainability and why cities matter. The unique program used the city as my classroom which enabled me to practically learn in the world. What is extremely unique about being an Urban Studies major is that my learning in the classroom can be immediately translated and observed the moment I leave class either on campus or within our urban neighborhood.”
What type of research projects were you involved in with CUGS?
“While I have not been involved in research projects with CUGS, I was supervised by Professor Gamble when I created a Roadmap to Zero Waste project in the Fall of 2020. In conjunction with my internship with CONNPIRG Students where I am the current Chapter Chair, I completed this project examining Trinity’s successes, future projects, and recommendations for Trinity to become a Zero Waste campus. CONNPIRG’s work with the Zero Waste campaign has been very successful as we have banned plastic bags from Connecticut and are working to ban plastic food containers and Styrofoam.”
Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why?
“Professors that have had a profound impact on my time at Trinity are Professor Baldwin, Professor Gamble, and Professor Myers. I have had the pleasure of learning from Professor Baldwin in several classes. In particular, his Race and Urban Space class has been very thought-provoking and highly interactive. In this class, we are currently examining cities through spatial analysis which allows us to map and measure different areas. One of the largest takeaways is that decisions have been made but the intentions matter just as much as the consequences when looking at cities and generational policies.”
What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
“My plan post-grad is set and I am excited to be teaching Special Education in Boston with Teach for America!”
What advice would you give future Urban Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?
“Take every opportunity that comes your way. Explore Hartford and use the city as your classroom. If you have the opportunity to study abroad, you can learn from different perspectives and from classmates from other schools. Most importantly, I would make it a priority get to know your Professors and students majoring in Urban Studies as we have a wealth of knowledge to share!”
