About Us
Cole Voyer (He/Him)
Hello, my name is Cole Voyer. I am a rising sophomore at Trinity College. I am currently undecided but will most likely major in public policy and law. When it comes to the action lab, I really enjoy service learning, and I think Cher provides a great way to do it. When it comes to why I specifically requested the Family Finance project, I think part of the reason is that this year is the first year I filed taxes, so learning more about the complexities of child tax credits was very helpful and personal.
Edwin Santana (He/Him)
Hi everyone! My name is Edwin Santana. I am a senior in the class of 2024. I am majoring in anthropology and seeking to get a masters degree in social work. I joined the Action Lab project because I love to help people and because I want to apply what I have learned over the years. As an anthropology major, we learn a lot about social issues, culture, and the role humanity plays in the natural world. These are all things I like to learn about; however, outside of a classroom, I don’t get many chances to use what I learn. This project was the perfect opportunity to put my skills into practice and help benefit the community of Hartford.
Paola Evangelista (She/Her)
Hi, my name is Paola and I am a human rights and studio arts major. I was drawn to apply for the Tax Child Credit project with United Way because it felt like a heartfelt opportunity to give back to Hartford, a city that has warmly welcomed us as students. I was eager to join hands in raising awareness of community voices and their essential needs. I firmly believe that our talents are meant to be put in service to others, and this project offered space for myself and my fellow classmates to do exactly that.
John Jaylen Gwynn (He/Him)
My name is John Jaylen Gwynn. I am in my final year at Capital, apart from CT State Community College, and will be transferring to Morehouse College in the fall. My majors are biology and psychology-related. My reasons for joining the project were that research experience was critical for the premed track. Hands-on experience with the city and community I am part of was the biggest draw. Doing work that could have an actual impact.
Thad Hempel (He/Him)
Hi!! I am Thad Hempel, a freshman at Trinity College. Right now, I intend to major in math with maybe a minor in philosophy or political science… but who knows? I have lived in Storrs, Connecticut, most of my life, with minor stints in Providence and Syracuse. I joined the action lab because I wanted to work alongside Hartford residents to make progress in a city that truly needs it. Enjoy our website! I truly believe our work has made and will make a difference.
Jude Staples (He/Him)
Welcome to our site! My name is Jude Staples, and I’m currently a freshman at Trinity. I intend on double majoring in Urban Studies and Economics, so when I heard about the Family Finance project, I knew the Action Lab was the program for me. Living in Philadelphia my entire life, I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work with various diverse communities, where there’s no shortage of differing perspectives. I’m so glad that the Action Lab has given me the space to further my interest in community work and engagement. Working with the Action Lab has been an absolute joy; I hope our findings can shed light on some new perspectives for you as well!
Mafer Vacca (She/Her)
Hola! I’m Mafer Vacca and I’m currently a freshman at Trinity College planning on double-majoring in Political Science and Urban Studies. I joined the Action Lab because as a Latin student, I resonated with the culture and vibrancy of Hartford, and wanted to be more engaged with its community. I was drawn to the Family Finance Project because I believe that it is a way to interact more closely with a side of Hartford that as students, we’re often unfamiliar with. I wanted to listen, understand, and help them and not just be an outsider. I hope this project inspires you to do the same!
Carin Buckman (She/Her)
I am the Director of Communications at United Way of Connecticut and the proud community partner representative for the Liberal Arts Action Lab’s Family Finance Project. Working with Professor Serena Laws on the CT Child Tax Credit Coalition, we understood that legislators needed to hear directly from Connecticut families about the difference the Child Tax Credit could make. It was a wonderful opportunity to be able to work with the Action Lab students on a project where they were able to interview Hartford residents directly about their financial situations and help lift their voices.
Serena Laws (She/Her)
I am the faculty mentor on the project. I am also an assistant professor of public policy and law at Trinity College and the founder and director of the Trinfo Cafe VITA site on Broad Street in Hartford. My interest in the project stems from my own research on tax credits as well as my participation in the CT Child Tax Credit Coalition. I felt the Action Lab partnership would be a great way to help collect the perspectives of Hartford residents who came to the Trinfo Cafe VITA site and to hear from them how a permanent Connecticut Child Tax Credit could impact their families.
Derin Ozlem Atalay (They/Them)
I am the Liberal Arts Action Lab Coordinator and Lecturer. I hold a PhD in Urban and Regional Planning from Florida State University. My research focuses on queer spaces and the involvement of LGBTQ communities in the local decision-making processes. My research contributes to a growing body of literature on collaborative city governance, inclusive city politics, civic engagement, place making and queer critique. It has been a great pleasure working on this project with my students, Serena Laws, and the United Way of CT.