Department of Political Science

Drawing upon extensive fieldwork in Turkey, Tunisia, and Egypt, Prof. Sebnem Gumuscu (Middlebury College) explains why some Islamist governments adhered to democratic principles and others took an authoritarian turn following electoral success. Through a comparative lens, Gumuscu identifies broader trends in Islamist governments and explains the complex web of internal dynamics that led political parties either to advance or subvert democracy.

Ms. Angie Waszkiewicz, Director of the CT Legislative Internship Program, will be on campus to answer your questions on the application process and the program itself. Hear from former interns as well!

Braver Angels, created by a UConn alumnus, is a cross-partisan, grassroots volunteer-led organization that helps people learn how to bridge the divide. Craig Diamond and Al Smith will introduce Braver Angels and discuss political polarization, while Bryan Paul will discuss the Braver Angels college debate program and engage students in a “mini” Braver Angels debate. This counts as an Honors event: #UHL10886.

Congress to Campus provides college students and the broader community with a unique civic education by engaging them in honest dialogue with bipartisan teams of Former Members of Congress. The dialogues bring today’s issues to the forefront and showcase the benefits of healthy partisanship and civility within disagreement. Congress to Campus dialogues engage students as agents of change and expose them to and provide unparalleled insight into careers in public service. At UConn we will examine the role of dialogue as a tool to promote human rights, civic education and expand students’ understanding of our political processes.

Space is limited. RSVP below.

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The Honorable Loretta Sanchez (D-CA, 1997-2017)

Loretta Sanchez currently works on the housing crisis in California as a 2018 Advanced Leadership Fellow at Harvard University. Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez represented Orange County (OC), CA in the US Congress from 1997-2017. As a senior member of the Armed Services and the Homeland Security Committee, she negotiated budgets, provided needed oversight on agencies and programs, and assisted in developing policies related to treaties. She is a recognized leader in international affairs, national security, counterterrorism, and nuclear proliferation/nonproliferation matters. Ms. Sanchez led efforts on education attainment for all, small business regulatory reform, healthcare initiatives, and technology innovation. She expanded preschool for children, championed the construction of the largest water recycling project in the world (in OC), and directed research funding to universities in her area to develop a Bio Med industry.

The Honorable Fred Upton (R-MI, 1987-2023)

Serving in Congress for 36 years from 1987-2023, Representative Fred Upton is proud to have represented the values of Southwest Michigan’s Sixth Congressional District. Prior to his election to Congress, Fred worked for President Ronald Reagan in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). From 2010 to 2016, Fred served as Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Under Fred’s leadership, the Committee passed 354 legislative measures through the House and saw 202 of those signed into law by the President. Fred also served as the top Republican leader of the Subcommittee on Energy, which has jurisdiction over national energy policy. Fred has long been an advocate for a greater emphasis on biomedical research to improve public health. He launched the 21st Century Cures Act which was signed into law by President Obama. Fred strongly supported an ‘All-of-the-Above’ energy strategy that focuses on American energy development, emerging clean energy technologies, and traditional energy. Fred believes in ensuring that the federal government remains limited, transparent, and accountable, not only to Southwest Michiganders but to all Americans. Fred is an active member of the Great Lakes Task Force, working to protect the Great Lakes from harmful pollutants and invasive species.

Moderated by Amber Diaz ’11 (CLAS), NBC CT Anchor & Reporter

Amber Diaz is a Connecticut native and an anchor and reporter for NBC CT. Over the past decade, she has traveled across the country, covering significant national stories. Her notable work includes reporting on the 2018 tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, and protests in Portland, Oregon, following the 2016 presidential election. Before joining NBC CT, Amber was a reporter at WFOR/CBS4 in Miami, where she provided extensive coverage inside of the nation’s largest holding facility for migrant children. Earlier in her career, she worked as a general assignment and sports reporter at Fox12 Oregon, where she covered high school football. Amber began her career in local television news with News 12 in the Bronx in 2012. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and English from the University of Connecticut and a Master’s in Broadcast and Digital Journalism from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. During her master’s program, she interned for KABC7 in Los Angeles and contributed to local stories in Washington, D.C.

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During their visit to UConn, the former members will engage members of the broader community in a series of workshops, roundtables, small group discussions, keynotes, classroom visits on topics to include:

• Nuts and Bolts of our Elections
• Civil Discourse in a Thriving Democracy
• Civil Discourse to Bridge Political Divides
• Democracy, Human Rights, and Good Governance
• Messaging and Disinformation in Our Electoral Process
• Healthy Partisanship and Civility
• Participation and Inclusion

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Hosted by Dodd Human Rights Impact Programs. Co-sponsored by the Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute, School of Public Policy, Department of Political Science, Undergraduate Student Government, the Department of Residential Life, Community Outreach, the Nancy A. Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work, and the Office of Outreach and Engagement.

Supported by Citizen Travelers, the nonpartisan civic engagement initiative of Travelers.

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This is an Honors Event. Categories: Academic & Interdisciplinary Engagement OR Social Change, Service, & Sustainability.

#UHLevent10916