快活视频

By Rebecca Kirkman on December 11, 2019

Zach Runge 鈥�19 has long been interested in politics and communication. His experience at Towson University, however, solidified his passion and intended career path: advocating for LGBTQ+ rights around the world, especially in developing countries.

After earning his associate degree from Harford Community College, Runge arrived at 快活视频in spring 2018 to pursue dual majors in political science and communication studies. 

鈥淚t was really through the coursework here that I honed in on the specific human rights, LGBTQ rights [interest],鈥� Runge says, pointing to classes like Politics of the Developing World and Intercultural Communications. 鈥淎nd a lot of the projects and papers that I've written for classes center on that topic. So it gives me a really firm understanding of it.鈥�

Runge arrived on campus with an open mind and a willingness to try new things. During the 2018 summer session he traveled out of the country for the first time on a study abroad program in Barcelona offered through the Department of Communication Studies.

鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 something that was even on my radar when I was applying and looking at schools,鈥� Runge says of studying abroad. But, he decided to take the opportunity to develop his intercultural skills and get outside of his comfort zone while earning credit toward his degree. 

When he saw that one of his favorite teachers, Assistant Professor Michaela Frischherz, was leading a trip to Scotland focused on social action during the winter minimester of 2019, he signed up again.

鈥淢y study-abroad trips were probably some of the most impactful experiences that I had at Towson,鈥� Runge says. 鈥淚t helps you develop intercultural skills and know yourself better to put yourself in uncomfortable situations. I didn鈥檛 know anyone that was on my study-abroad trips, but I developed really strong friendships and built connections with the professor, too.鈥�

When he returned, Runge presented about the experience with Frischherz at the National Communication Association鈥檚 2019 convention, where the theme was 鈥淐ommunication for Survival.鈥�

Being part of the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Fine Arts and Communication, as well as a member of the Honors College, offered Runge a well-rounded and interdisciplinary academic experience. 

鈥淚鈥檝e taken some really interesting Honors classes,鈥� Runge says. 鈥淭his semester, I鈥檓 in a Multicultural Psychology class. While psychology isn鈥檛 my main interest, with the multicultural aspect of it there鈥檚 a lot of overlap with my [major] classes. So that鈥檚 been really great.鈥� 

He also became a peer mentor at the Public Communication Center, joined communication honor society Pi Kappa Delta, served as the community service and fundraising chair for the National Society of Leadership and Success, and worked as a marketing assistant for the Office of Partnerships and Outreach.

on Jul 10, 2018 at 3:23pm PDT

鈥淚 got way more involved than I ever thought that I would,鈥� Runge says. 鈥淏ut being a mentor has probably been my favorite thing. I just love being able to connect with different students from different backgrounds, different majors. I鈥檝e gotten more involved with professors, too, because I鈥檓 a part of the PCC. So that鈥檚 been one of the major benefits of Towson.鈥�

During his final term, Runge embarked on independent research studying the impact that international organizations have on the spread of LGBTQ+ rights, particularly within Latin America. 鈥淚t really aligns with exactly what I want to do for my career,鈥� he says.

He鈥檚 conducting research under the guidance of his faculty advisor, Assistant Professor Gorana Draguljic. 鈥淲e鈥檝e worked together a lot throughout this semester, and she鈥檚 been really encouraging,鈥� Runge says. 鈥淪he wants me to present my research at conferences and try to get it published.鈥�

He thinks the opportunity to conduct this type of research as an undergraduate will be an advantage in graduate school, where faculty look for students to assist in research projects. 

鈥淭his research helps me be more concrete in my career goals,鈥� Runge says. 鈥淏ut it also helps me be more comfortable going into grad school.鈥� 

Next fall, he plans to begin a graduate program in global affairs and human security at the University of Baltimore with the vision of one day working for an international NGO like Human Rights Watch or Amnesty International.

For now, though, Runge is focused on graduating. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited for Commencement. It鈥檒l be a really great feeling to walk across the stage.鈥� As the only of his siblings to graduate from college, he adds, 鈥淚鈥檓 most excited probably for my mom to see me walk across the stage. I鈥檓 excited for her to have that moment for herself as well.鈥�