Zoe Selig '27 accepts an award recognizing exceptional writing at Dickinson. Photo by Joe O'Neill.
As an intern with Dickinson Votes, Zoe Selig ’27 helped coordinate more than 60 classroom visits and helped register more than 100 students, contributing to the college being named a 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting. Now, she’s getting ready for local elections. She’s also involved with Pre-Orientation, Jewish Life, the theatre department and the Writing Center. And, as an award-winning double major in American studies and political science, she studies the world from different angles and discovers how she can continue make a difference in the future.
Hometown:
Durham, N.H.
Majors:
Political science and American studies.
Clubs and organizations:
Dickinson Votes, Writing Center (peer tutor, English and writing), Center for Civic Learning & Action (Pre-Orientation student-leader), Jewish Life, Department of Theatre & Dance (tech & stage management) and Dickinson Coalition for Mutual Liberation.
Honors/scholarships/awards:
Provost’s Scholarship, Adirondack Scholarship, Dean’s List, Alpha Lambda Delta, First-Year Excellence in Writing Award, Winfield David Walkley Prize and presenter at the 2024 Ethics Symposium.
Best thing about my major:
Combining political science and American studies is fun because I get to look at similar topics from different angles. American studies lets me consider how systems of power function across societies and how I can help different groups of people. Political science takes an in-depth look at governmental and societal structures through a more institutions-based lens, complementing my American studies interests with the “hows” and “whys” of social issues and solutions. Putting them together, I get to learn about how our world works, where I fit in and how I want to engage with the world in the future.
On choosing Dickinson:
I wanted to go to a school where I would be challenged and deeply involved in my community. I also wanted an environment that’s more collaborative than competitive. Dickinson is exactly that—everybody cheers each other on and is so friendly. My classes are exactly the right amount of hard, and it’s so rewarding to learn such interesting concepts in depth. I feel such a strong sense of home here, and I’m so lucky to be part of this community! Through Dickinson Votes, CCLA and activism, I have been able to connect deeply with the Dickinson community and feel that I’m playing my part in making it better.
Favorite professor:
Seriously, at Dickinson, you can’t go wrong with professors—everywhere you look, there’s someone incredible!
Associate Professor of Philosophy Amy McKiernan taught my First-Year Seminar (FYS). She's been one of my biggest supporters since day one—her passion and loving attitude are infectious. Associate Professor of Political Science Sarah Niebler is also incredible and so knowledgeable. She’s my advisor and professor, and I work with her in two of my jobs (Dickinson Votes and as a writing associate for her FYS). Assistant Professor of American studies Darren Lone Fight is also so much fun to learn from. He's always happy to challenge me. And I would be remiss not to mention Associate Professor of French & Francophone and Women's, Gender & Sexuality Studies Mireille Rebeiz, who is one of the kindest and most supportive humans I know.
I am a voter engagement coordinator for Dickinson Votes, our nonpartisan voting organization on campus. I help students prepare for Election Day and be engaged citizens by helping them register to vote and turn out to the polls, and helping them be excited to participate in our democracy.
From coordinating over 60 classroom visits to registering over 100 students at our National Voter Registration Day celebration to partying at the polls all day on Election Day, our hard work paid off when we got to see so many Dickinsonians walking around campus with their “I Voted” stickers on November 5! We were also excited to be honored as an 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting, recognizing our successful efforts to get out the Dickinson vote.
Why I chose this internship:
I have always cared deeply about voting and civic participation—I have a long history of advocating for young people’s voting rights, including volunteering as a poll worker since I was in elementary school and another internship in high school. I highly recommend anyone get involved with Dickinson Votes—it’s super enjoyable and we’re always excited to have you! I’ve learned so much about connecting with my peers, helping people understand that voting is fun, and working with a large team to successfully achieve a goal. I’m super excited for this spring, because our work didn’t end in November—now, we get to prepare for Carlisle’s local elections and maintain students’ interests in voting as a lifelong commitment!
Most important thing I’ve learned so far:
Trust your gut, care for other people and be willing to take risks in achieving those first two goals. And if you think something needs to be done, do it.
Read more Student Snapshots.
Published January 9, 2025