Connell Wise - Management/Communication

Connell Wise, a double major in management and communication from Washington, D.C., is into everything, literally. In fact, Connell has already volunteered more than 4,000 hours so far, which qualified him to receive the Presidential Volunteer Service Award at four levels - Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum - as well as the President's Call to Service Award. And he's just getting warmed up.

A member of the Class of 2013 and also the third member of his family to attend Curry College, Connell leaves a legacy of college success for students from schools in the District of Columbia.  His brother ('05) was a communication major and his sister ('08), minored in communication.

In his management major at Curry, Connell concentrates on nonprofit management, "I've always been good in leadership and managerial roles."

As the founder and CEO of the U.S. Youth Chamber of Commerce, Connell already has some excellent experience. His advocacy for youth rights helps get young people involved at all levels of government. In the for-profit sector, Connell founded the Connell Wise Broadcasting Network (CWBN), an online news website that gives teens a forum to report and discuss community happenings. And it connects to his Curry College communication major, which emphasizes television production/digital video.

"I love the television/video aspect of investigative journalism, I worked on my high school newspaper, and I know communication is an important part of business, politics and government service."

Curry communication professor Jerry Gibbs supported Connell in his work toward a double major and in his communication-related activities.  "His classes are great because he enjoys interacting with students."

Connell is a production assistant at Curry TV (CC8), which was designated as an official news station to cover two presidential press conferences.

"As a school, receiving full official press credentials for two such high-level events in a row is quite an achievement, and I've been very honored to represent Curry."

Because his hometown is Washington, D.C., Connell felt drawn to government service and leadership and got involved in politics during high school.  Politics and History is now his minor at Curry.

"Government in the District of Columbia is unique. Our joint status as a federal city, a county and a district makes us essentially a modern city-state."

Connell worked on the mayoral campaign of Adrian M. Fenty, who won the office and eventually appointed Connell as a city commissioner in the Mayor's Office of Volunteerism. At Curry, professor of politics and history Kathleen O'Donnell encouraged Connell to explore state and local politics, where he studied several campaigns, including that of Senator Scott Brown (R-MA).

"From those experiences, I realized I want to work at the state or local level where I can do the most good for others."

In the summer of 2011, Connell held two Curry field placements. First, at the White House, he served as a Volunteer Leader in the President's Office of Correspondence - the "inbox and voice-mailbox of the President" - handling volunteer retention. And he interned full time as a Workforce Development Specialist/Program Monitor for the District of Columbia Department of Employment Services Office of Youth Programs. And yes, he maintained his other business ventures, too!

At Curry, Connell uses the Math Center, PAL services, and the Writing Center "for all my writing assignments. The professors know me by name and recommended me to be a teaching assistant in management for the upcoming First-Year Seminar."

Connell serves as the executive vice president of Curry's Student Government Association (SGA), enjoys hanging out with friends in residence hall rooms, taking the Curry shuttle to explore Boston's Mattapan and Back Bay neighborhoods or trekking to local malls such as Legacy Place or South Shore Plaza. "There's so much going on in this area; it just depends on what you and your friends are interested in doing each day."

"Curry is a unique experience that will change your life forever.  The college is like a large family who know you by name and really care about how you're doing. Curry is truly a collegium - a party of people working to educate the community."