Students Assist Presidential Campaign at New Hampshire Primary

February 16, 2016

PATCHOGUE, N.Y. – February 16, 2016 – Ten students from SJC Long Island were given a unique experience when their professors, Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci and former U.S. Congressman Tim Bishop, organized a trip to the New Hampshire presidential primary on February 9. 

“Our trip to New Hampshire was a phenomenal experience,” said Jack Nix ’16, sociology major at SJC Long Island. “We were able to see how a presidential campaign works and I learned so much from former Congressman Tim Bishop. I am so thankful that I was able to take part in something that is so vital to this country.” 

The students were given a behind-the-scenes look at the operations of presidential campaigns by meeting with supporters, speaking to residents and answering questions. In addition, the students visited Secretary Hillary Clinton’s headquarters and Senator Marco Rubio’s field office, and met former New York State Governor George Pataki, former CIA Agent Valerie Plame and former Ambassador Joseph Wilson.

“The New Hampshire primary was an awesome, hands-on experience,” said Glenn Ferraiuolo ’18, political science major at SJC Long Island. “As a team representing St. Joseph's, we went out and spoke with local residents and it was very interesting to hear about different needs of the community. The experience was second to none, and the vast knowledge that Professor Bishop and Professor Lupinacci have, made for a very informative and fun weekend.”

Former Congressman Tim Bishop served in the United States Congress from 2003-2015, representing most of central and eastern Suffolk County, including most of Smithtown and the towns of Brookhaven, Riverhead, Southold, Southampton, East Hampton and Shelter Island. Since March 2015, Bishop has been serving as SJC’s first distinguished professor of civic engagement and public service. 

“This trip allowed us to expose the students to the inner workings of a presidential campaign, and to participate in the details of the campaign that are required to win elections,” said Bishop. “Assemblyman Lupinacci and I will continue our work with SJC students in the run-up to the New York primary, which takes place in April.”

In addition to his role as an assemblyman, Chad Lupinacci (R,C,WF, I-Huntington Station) serves as a professor at SJC, SUNY Farmingdale, Nassau Community College and Hofstra University. He teaches political science and business. His main interests lie in the area of American Politics, especially the American Presidency, state and local politics.

“One of the great thrills of being a college professor is having the opportunity to give students hands-on educational experiences,” said Lupinacci. “For the Inside the New Hampshire Primary course that we're co-teaching, former Congressman Tim Bishop and I were able to give our students a tremendous opportunity to see the real grassroots effort which occurs in political primary-hotbed states like New Hampshire.”

For more information about SJC, visit sjcny.edu. 

ABOUT ST. JOSEPH'S COLLEGE
St. Joseph’s College has been dedicated to providing a diverse population of students in the New York metropolitan area with an affordable education rooted in the liberal arts tradition since 1916. Independent and coeducational, the College provides a strong academic and value-oriented education at the undergraduate and graduate levels, aiming to prepare each student for a life characterized by integrity, intellectual and spiritual values, social responsibility and service. Through SJC Brooklyn, SJC Long Island and SJC Online, the College offers degrees in more than 45 majors, special course offerings and certificates, affiliated and pre-professional programs.