Jeremy Cumplido ’25
Political Science and History
Most people don’t like to feel tired and hungry. Jeremy Cumplido does.
“By the end of a great course, I’m tired but have an appetite for more. I’m here to work hard. My professors understand that.”
In his first course as a political science major, Jeremy studied fundamental principles of politics — very fundamental. Political ideas, debates, and ideologies were concepts layered atop more essential questions. What does it mean to be human? What is a community? What does it mean to be part of a community? A political science education at Providence College speaks to the “why” — not simply the “how” or “what” of politics. Jeremy was hooked.
His introductory professor, Rev. Christopher Justin Brophy, O.P., assistant professor of political science, is now one of two faculty members advising Jeremy as he prepares a senior thesis on 19th-century revolutionary Simón Bolívar, who led struggles for Latin American independence from the Spanish Empire. As a first-generation American who spent part of his childhood in Colombia, Jeremy seeks fuller understanding of Bolívar’s intellectual formation. The ideas that shaped Bolívar, Jeremy argues, shaped modern South America. And such political and social realities of modern Colombia led Jeremy’s family to Central Falls, Rhode Island — five miles from Providence College.
“Bolívar suffered much, losing his parents as a child and his wife when he was no older than me. He traveled to Europe and was present when Napoleon crowned himself emperor. When he came to Colombia from Venezuela, Bolívar went to Cartagena, where I lived for two years. Bolívar’s story is part of Colombia’s, of my family’s, of my own — I want to sift out the legend and understand the man,” Jeremy said.
The scope of Jeremy’s thesis, which employs methods and sources from studies of politics, history, philosophy, language, literature, and psychology, was influenced by his studies in the Development of Western Civilization, a four-semester study of the Western heritage undertaken by all Providence College students.
“My Civ professors were tough, and I’m thankful for that,” he said. “Whether it was Dr. Anthony Jensen teaching me about philosophical movements through the centuries or Dr. Jennifer Illuzzi introducing me to the often-neglected history of the Haitian Revolution, Civ taught me to critically evaluate historical ideas and narrative and to dig more deeply into perspectives pushed to the margins by the powerful.”
Jeremy has taken on numerous leadership roles on campus including orientation leader and vice president of the Board of Multicultural Student Affairs. Off-campus, he has interned for Senator Jack Reed and Representative Gabe Amo, who represent Rhode Island in Congress. He enjoyed the challenge of helping Amo launch his office as a newly elected congressman. He’s grateful for networking opportunities with Providence College alumni working in federal politics through the PC in DC program. But some of his favorite work in government and politics is back home in Central Falls.
“So much of the most important work with the greatest impact in politics is at the ground level. I love to work with constituents — my neighbors — to meet their needs when they’re facing adversity or confusion in the face of difficult systems,” Jeremy said.
“Providence College helps me do this. Many things we learn here can seem abstract, but the practical applications are very real. This whole experience is oriented toward understanding, toward neighborly relationship, toward service,” he said.
“I believe that compassionately helping others, especially people you might not know, is the greatest achievement. My experiences at Providence College help me do that every day.”
More:
- Learn about PC in DC, Providence College’s Washington, D.C., networking program for students interested in careers in politics.
- Learn about political science studies at Providence College, where students can focus their major in any of four major fields.
- Jeremy is among the 94% of Providence College undergraduates who have participated in an internship or career-related experience. Learn about other Friar interns.
