Studying Neighborhood Development, Commemorations and Student Loans in the Action Lab
This past fall semester, the Liberal Arts Action Lab welcomed twelve students for three projects. The students from Trinity College and CT State Community College Capital brought in great energy as they participated in the Action Research Methods in Hartford course (LAAL 200) and one of three Hartford Research Projects (LAAL 201). Dr. Derin Atalay taught Action Research Methods in Hartford this semester and led the Frog Hollow Development Project. Prof. Jeff Patridge joined us from CT State Capital to lead the Talcott Street Church Commemoration Project and Prof. Laura Minor taught the Student Loan Equity Project. Each team worked with a community partner who posed a pressing question about their work in the city.
Professor Atalay led the Frog Hollow Development Project in collaboration with faculty fellow Dr. Laura Delgado from the Urban Studies department, where students partnered with the Frog Hollow NRZ (Neighborhood Revitalization Zone). The Frog Hollow NRZ works to revitalize the neighborhood through the collective efforts of residents, businesses, and government to create a shared vision for the community. Trinity students Matthew Rinaldi IDP ’27, Seth Papay ’24, Lourdes Cruz Mendoza ’26, and Eli Bergner ’25, along with CT State Community College Capital student Zaku Hasan ’24, focused their research on the growing issue of blight in Hartford, particularly in the Frog Hollow neighborhood. Seth Papay ’24 expressed his connection to the project, saying, “My mother grew up in this neighborhood, and I feel it is important for me to connect back here and work with the community to improve it.”
The students conducted in-depth interviews with BRT staff, community leaders, and local stakeholders, while also performing a detailed analysis of Hartford’s Blight Remediation Ordinance. This allowed the team to better understand current initiatives and identify areas for potential improvement. Additionally, they reviewed blight remediation strategies used in other cities, such as Philadelphia and Detroit, to develop a comparative analysis that could inform future efforts in Hartford.
Prof. Partridge collaborated with the Hartford Heritage Project to lead the Talcott Street Church Commemoration Project, ensuring that Hartford’s first free-standing Black church is permanently recognized in public memory as a vital piece of American history, particularly in Connecticut. This initiative builds on the Liberal Arts Action Lab’s 2020 Black Heritage Project, which explored ways to bring the history of the Talcott Street Church and its members into an exhibit at CT State Community College Capital. The team researched equitable historical preservation methods worldwide, engaged with Hartford stakeholders through focus groups, and compiled a list of actionable recommendations to establish lasting recognition of this important history.
The implementation of this plan will involve a dedicated coalition of preservationists, government officials, and cultural organizers. Team members included Trinity students Nicole Ankrah ’26 and Matt Luyrink ’26, along with CT State Capital students Anthony Lee and Katie Cook. Through this experience, students not only visited historical sites but also learned about historical figures and how best to preserve and share their stories. Their primary recommendation was to create a monument park on a small area of Trumbull Street above I-84, between the XL Center and Dunkin Park. Prof. Partridge praised the students as a “dream team” for their dedication and high-quality work, noting that he even learned from them during their literature review, which helped contextualize the project and its broader significance.
“My favorite part about the project was when we were walking around the city, seeing current city commemorations, and considering what we can do.” – Nicole Ankrah ’26
Professor Laura Minor led the Student Loan Equity Project in partnership with the Student Loan Fund and faculty fellows Dr. Serena Laws, Assistant Professor of Public Policy and Law, and Dr. Bryan Lewis, Associate Director of Financial Aid at CT State Community College. The research team included Trinity students Emma Kisbeye ’27, Luke Izzo ’26, and Capital student Luna Perez. The students explored the impact of the COVID-19 repayment pause on borrowers in the Hartford area and sought to understand the broader lived experiences of borrowers across Connecticut. Their research combined a literature review with 13 in-depth interviews conducted with student borrowers. Reflecting on the project, Emma Kisbeye noted, “Through interviews and literature reviews, we were able to hear from individuals in Connecticut and realized the tremendous mental health impact on borrowers, particularly among specific racial groups.”
To learn more about the projects, you can check out the websites of each project below.
