RRI Brings Civic Engagement Discussions to Sacred Heart University
- The Ramos Research Institute
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CLIFFSIDE PARK, NJ – May 6, 2026 —On April 8, 2026, Alejandro J. Ramos, Founder and Executive Director of the Ramos Research Institute, returned to his alma mater, Sacred Heart University, and led a full day of engagement on campus. In addition to keynoting for a university event, Ramos delivered guest lectures in various academic departments and attended meetings with key Institute stakeholders across three days.
Ramos joined co-keynote speaker, Connecticut Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas, for a Pioneer Vote event, titled “No Vote, No Choice.” The evening brought together faculty, students, and community members for a productive discussion on civic engagement, voting legislation, democratic participation, and strategies to strengthen voter turnout and civic involvement.
As the keynote speaker of the program and former Pioneer Vote leader, Ramos opened the event by introducing the Ramos Research Institute and its work. He further explained the importance of youth-led, youth-focused civic engagement and research in shaping a more representative future.
“The overall event was a big success. I was thrilled to be back on campus and engage in a panel for an organization that was a big part of my campus experience,” said Ramos. “I helped facilitate one of the best years of civic engagement in my many student leadership roles at the University, and it was wonderful to see that spirit continuing.”
Throughout the day, Ramos and RRI team members led and participated in multiple discussions helping students bridge theory and real-world civic practice. In the School of Social Work, Ramos led a lecture titled, “The Power of Community: From Boston to Today,” exploring how social movements form, grow, and sustain impact.
In the School of Communication (SCMA), Ramos delivered a “Civic Discourse in Crisis” lecture, exploring the need for Courageous Dialogue in a polarized society and highlighting the importance of media literacy, as well as recognizing the challenges of sustaining meaningful civic conversations across societal divides. In addition to the lectures, Ramos met with students and staff of The Spectrum, Sacred Heart University’s newspaper. The conversation focused on his time as a Spectrum staff member, his path after graduation, and ongoing work of the Institute.
“For two and a half years I have consistently returned to give guest lectures at the invitation of various professors, and this was the most engaging group of students I have encountered,” Ramos noted. “Students were vocal about their desire for more opportunities to engage meaningfully with democracy and connect with peers, on and off campus. It was a mix of questioning and exploration of existing structures and exploring how they can create their own paths to create meaningful change.”
Other class discussions focused on the intersection of civic activism, emerging technology, and artificial intelligence. RRI Research Assistant Molly Williams (Boston College ‘26) presented an ongoing project of the Institute, Rewriting Democracy, which looks at how democratic values are expressed across international political frameworks.
In addition to the public-facing events and lectures, Ramos met with key university stakeholders to discuss opportunities for collaboration and civic engagement. As a proud Sacred Heart alumnus, Ramos expressed enthusiasm for potential partnership with the university and its continued commitment to making a positive impact on its students.
For more information about the Ramos Research Institute and its partnerships, please visit https://www.ramosresearchinstitute.org or follow us on LinkedIn.
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About the Ramos Research Institute:
The Ramos Research Institute (RRI) is an emerging research institution dedicated to original research, polling, and policy analysis focused on addressing today’s most complex societal challenges. Founded by Alejandro J. Ramos, RRI produces rigorous, relevant, and accessible research across key areas including civic education and engagement, media literacy, democratic resilience and renewal, education policy, and the voting behavior of minority communities. Through evidence-based inquiry and public-facing scholarship, RRI seeks to generate insights that strengthen democratic culture and inform policy and practice.
Contact:
Nafisa Ruponty
Director of Public Relations
Ramos Research Institute
Cliffside Park, NJ 07010
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