From Borough Hall to the State Capitol
Samuel Pimental ’28 accepts the 2024 Youth Award at the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg's Torch Award ceremony. “I felt so honored to be speaking alongside nonprofit leaders, national news reporters and government officials,” he says.
Student Snapshot: Samuel Pimental ’28
When Samuel Pimental ’28 saw students and community members enjoying a concert together during his campus tour, he knew that Dickinson was the right college for him. Today, he bridges the campus and local communities as a student-ambassador for the Carlisle Borough and as the central-region director of the PA College Democrats. He’s met with local leaders, and he’s earned an award for civic participation. “The most valuable things I’ve learned are about how impactful local government can be in creating a vibrant community,” he says. “Things like zoning laws can affect economic growth.”
Hometown:
Mechanicsburg, Pa.
High school:
Cumberland Valley High School.
Majors:
Economics and political science.
On choosing Dickinson:
I wanted a college that valued rigorous academics and community engagement. Growing up in central Pennsylvania, I often heard from friends and neighbors about Dickinson students' involvement in the local community. That drew me in. After a tour, I watched Carlislians and Dickinsonians enjoying a small concert together. That moment confirmed that Dickinson was where I wanted to be.
Best thing about my Dickinson experience:
My favorite thing about Dickinson is the events they host on campus, both the academically focused ones and the more social ones! One that particularly stands out to me is the Keep Our Republic event. I had the opportunity to engage in conversations with Rep. Joanna McClinton, speaker of the Pennsylvania House, and Tom Corbett, former governor of Pennsylvania.
Best thing about my major:
In my majors, I get to study the decisions governments make and how they affect the world around us. By double-majoring, I get to examine this central concept through the lens of both political science and economics, and I’ve learned how these major decisions can impact people socially and financially.
Favorite class:
Political Philosophy with Adjunct Faculty in Political Science John Harles was my first philosophy class. He connected real-world situations with classic philosophies and made the material engaging.
Favorite professor:
My academic advisor, Associate Professor of Political Science Sarah Niebler, is truly amazing. I met her at the International Young Leaders Conference in Harrisburg, where she was a panelist. One year later, I was able to participate in this panel, and she came to support me! As my academic advisor, she has opened doors to numerous opportunities. Also, her First-Year Seminar was very hands-on. We took walking tours of Carlisle with the deputy mayor, and we discussed policies the Carlisle Borough wants to implement.
About my internships:
I work for the Center for Civic Learning & Action (CCLA) as the Carlisle Borough Ambassador! I sit with the Borough Council and represent the college during council meetings, I meet with department heads, attend committee meetings and take part in community events. The most valuable things I’ve learned are about how impactful local government can be in creating a vibrant community. Things like zoning laws can affect economic growth, and it’s been fascinating to see how the borough creates policies that allow for Carlisle to be a good place for businesses. This past summer I interned for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a policy intern for the Office of Small Business Advocate. I got to learn how utility policies affect small businesses and what policies should be implemented to help reduce the costs of things such as water and electricity.
By doing both of these internships, I was able to get a well-rounded view of both state-level and local government.
Post-Dickinson plans:
After Dickinson, I hope to work in Harrisburg, helping to develop policy to better the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I‘m really passionate about economic development and fiscal policy.
Proudest accomplishment so far:
When I was invited to speak at the International Young Leaders Conference in Harrisburg. I felt so honored to be speaking alongside nonprofit leaders, national news reporters and government officials. It was a full-circle moment for me, as I remembered helping to organize the conference when I was a high school intern.
Clubs and organizations:
Outing Club, Ultimate Frisbee, Dickinson Christian Fellowship, Climbing Club, Center for Civic Learning & Action (Carlisle Borough Ambassador), Pennsylvania College Democrats (central region director) and Dickinson College Democrats (treasurer).
Honors/scholarships/awards:
The 2024 the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg's Torch Award (2024 Youth Award), recognizing civic participation.
Most important thing I’ve learned so far:
Don’t be afraid to branch out and try new things. Coming to Dickinson, I thought I wanted to study law & policy and political science. During my first semester, I took Intro to Microeconomics and absolutely fell in love with it. By trying a class in another discipline, I found what I was truly passionate about and got the opportunity to pursue it.
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Published February 20, 2026