Amelia Kearney moved into her dorm at Yale University in August, where she’s studying ecology and evolutionary biology on full financial aid. Her journey to the Ivy League began at Connecticut State Community College (CT State) Tunxis in Farmington, where she arrived with a strong interest in political science, and finished with experiences that gave her a deeper understanding of how science, policy, and community engagement can work together to drive change.
Kearney enrolled at CT State Tunxis in fall 2022 through Connecticut’s free tuition program, following in the footsteps of her parents and uncle, all community college graduates. Tunxis offered her an affordable, close-to-home option where she could begin exploring her interests while earning a liberal arts and sciences degree and certificate in civic engagement.
Her turning point came during a spring 2023 legislative internship with state Rep. Mary Mushinsky, deputy speaker. Working alongside Mushinsky, who is a biologist by training, she saw firsthand how scientific knowledge can inform policy decisions. Inspired by Mushinsky’s background, Amelia shifted her academic focus and began preparing for a future in environmental science.
“I realized that science and policy aren’t mutually exclusive,” Kearney said. “Having a science background can make you a stronger advocate and a more informed leader.”
At CT State Tunxis, Kearney thrived both inside and outside the classroom. She founded the student Sustainability Club, joined Phi Theta Kappa honor society, and participated in the CT State Women’s Leadership Program. She was named a Coca-Cola 2024 Academic Team Silver Scholar and her research paper on the impacts of factory farming was published in the campus’ 2023 FAB anthology, the best writing in English 101 courses at Tunxis during the academic year.
After graduating in May 2024, she returned to Tunxis part-time to complete additional science credits. She also worked in the Academic Success and Tutoring Center, helping fellow students in biology, chemistry, and environmental science. That summer, she traveled to France for a Sustainable Engineering Bootcamp at Ecole Supérieure des Technologies Industrielles Avancées (ESTIA), where she and other students tracked carbon emissions and proposed sustainability solutions for the university.
“There are so many opportunities outside the classroom at CT State Tunxis,” Kearney said. “The small class sizes, diverse student body, and close relationships with professors helped me build confidence and community.”
She credits Tunxis with preparing her for the academic rigor of Yale. “A lot of people think community college isn’t academically rigorous, but that’s just not true,” she said. “One of my Tunxis friends who is at a flagship university now, said Tunxis was harder!”
As she prepares to begin her next chapter, Kearney encourages other students to aim high. “Apply to your dream schools—even if they feel out of reach. Community college gives you a unique perspective and a strong foundation.”
After Yale, Kearney plans to attend graduate school and hopes to become a research scientist focused on climate change and environmental health. She’s especially interested in the connections between environmental issues and women’s health, and envisions a career that blends science, policy, and community work—possibly in the nonprofit sector or academia.
“I’m open to many paths,” she said. “But I know I want my work to make a difference.”
