The Liberty Initiative
The Liberty Initiative is a student outcomes-focused forum for a select group of “Liberty Scholars” to engage in real-world research and consulting projects, earn money, and network with top professionals and businesses. The program is guided by four goals:
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Transformative Education – Completion of major research projects on key social economic issues for publication in respected journals and live presentation to top Washington think tanks.
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Experiential Learning – Broadened skills training and networking opportunities via real-world (paid) consulting and multidisciplinary research.
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Thought Leadership – Executing guest speaker, reading group, and discussion events.
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Building the Future – Mentoring the next generation of Liberty Scholars.
Transformative Education – Actionable and critical research combined with career development.
Experiential Learning – Consulting & research for real-world/for-profit corporations (deadline-driven and directly compensated).
A Market Structure Assessment project for a NY-based private equity firm involved two of our students in developing the background information and financial analyses, contributing to – and learning about – strategic acquisitions and capital deployment.
For two global marketing companies, one of our Liberty Scholars developed background research on multiple industries in preparing these corporations to include in their 2020 strategic planning and board-level presentations.
Thought Leadership – Executing guest speaker, reading group, and discussion events.
Student Outcomes: Where are they now?
Graduation: 2022
Concentration: B. S. in Business Analytics
Currently: Full-time Business Intelligence Analyst for VCU Health in Richmond, VA. and pursing a M.S. in Sport Business at Temple University.
"The Liberty Initiative inspired me to always ask questions in life. No matter the role you are in, research is always involved. The skills I gained from this experience will be applicable to any position I take in the future.”
Graduation: 2020
Concentration: B. A. in Economics, Minor in Behavioral Economics
Currently: Full-time manager at O, R & L Commercial Real Estate in Branford; grew out of internship last year.
“I was able to use my Liberty Initiative experience as a ‘bullet point’ on my résumé and in interviews. It sparked a good conversation with my eventual employer, who was impressed with the program.”
Graduation: 2019
Concentration: B. S. in National Security, Minors in Economics and Russian Studies.
Currently: Full-time membership manager at National Organization for Rare Disorders.
“The Liberty Initiative gave me the research skills and resources to become both a better researcher and a better project manager.”
Graduation: 2021
Concentration: B. S. in Sport Management
Currently: Full-time assistant Athletic Director for Compliance at Bryant University and recently completed MBA.
"Working with the Liberty Initiative helped me challenge my thought process and allow me to further my skills in research and become a better problem solver."
Graduation: 2020
Concentration: B. S. in Political science
Currently: Full-time legislative correspondent at U.S. House of Representatives.
“Our work at the Liberty Initiative gave me insight into how to do research in the real world and how to apply what we learned in class to real life search efforts.”
Graduation: 2020
Concentration: B. A. in Economics, Minor in Behavioral Economics
Currently: Pursuing MBA at University of New Haven.
“An invaluable opportunity that allowed me inside access to real world business. Experiential education at its finest.”