Leading by example: Meet the inaugural Brodsky fellows

Written by Rebecca Docter

In 2024, Salve Regina University named Dr. Mary Anderson as the inaugural Brodsky Chair in Constitutional Democracy and Culture, established to teach students about civil discourse and civic engagement on campus and throughout the country. Now, Anderson has named two Brodsky fellows to further these efforts: junior’s Leah Spengler and Janet “Jennie” Battcher.

Anderson chose Spengler and Battcher after seeing their work toward civic engagement on campus. The women are separately executives of Salve’s College Democrats (Spengler) and Young Republicans (Battcher) but members of both organizations, demonstrating their commitment to civil discourse around political topics.

“We talk so much about heightened polarization around campus and around the country,” Anderson noted. “These two are really modeling what it’s like to have different views on things but still be able to have this wonderful friendship that they share as well as working in the academic space together.”

Through the fellowship, Spengler and Battcher mentor high school students through the Rhode Island Civic Leadership Program. The nonpartisan program, based in the Secretary of State’s office, teaches local students how to be involved in their governments and communities. Each student is responsible for a civic engagement or civic action project, and Spengler’s and Battcher’s roles are to help them develop and execute those assignments.

“Watching the students in action is very inspiring,” said Spengler. After the program is complete, the two will work with Anderson to assess its effectiveness based on data collected throughout its duration.

Meet Leah Spengler

Leah Spengler, junior political science and communications double major.

A double major in political science and communications with a minor in history, Spengler is planning a career in political communications. Mentorship and campus involvement are at the forefront of her experience as a student: She is a peer mentor, a Nuala Pell Leadership Program fellow, the communication director of the College Democrats, a member of the Pell Honors Program Student Advisory Committee and a member of the Young Republicans.

Spengler is also committed to mentorship off campus. As the fund development intern for MENTOR Rhode Island, Spengler works on fundraising for the nonprofit organization, which pairs K-12 children with community volunteers who provide motivation and support.

Spengler says the Brodsky fellowship supports women in education, one of the five critical concerns of the Sisters of Mercy. She and Battcher are providing research assistance for Anderson’s research into American first ladies. The Brodsky fellows were also a part of a Women’s History Month dinner and dialogue event on March 6, at which students honored their faculty and staff mentors.

“We are trying to contribute to highlighting those voices that aren’t always at the forefront,” shared Spengler.

Meet Jennie Battcher

Jennie Battcher (left), junior political science major, and Spengler with Jim Acosta, American broadcast journalist and former chief White House correspondent for CNN.

A political science major with a history minor and a concentration in international relations and comparative politics, she’ll begin work on her master’s degree in international relations as part of an accelerated program of study next year. She is president of the Young Republicans, a member of the Pell Honors Program Student Advisory Committee and a member of the College Democrats.

In spring 2024, Battcher studied abroad in Berlin, Germany, where she was fascinated by the political climate. The experience made her interested in a career as a diplomat after Salve.

Like Spengler, Battcher is committed to mentorship both as a Brodsky fellow and as a student at Salve. Her passion for leading others started with the Summer Institute of Politics, produced by the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy. The two-week program brought about 30 high school students from around the country together to discuss their policy concerns. Battcher helped them research policies and find solutions to their concerns. “[I was inspired by] how interested they were,” she said. “It was so great to see, because there are so many people who seem really disengaged from politics and civic engagement.”

Battcher says her involvement in the Brodsky fellowship ties back to Salve’s mercy mission of working toward a more just, harmonious and merciful world because of its emphasis on civic engagement and community involvement. Specifically, “finding common ground between Democrats and Republicans and understanding that we’re all people, and everyone has their differences,” said Battcher.

Spengler and Battcher outside of the Rhode Island State House as part of the R.I. Civic Leadership Program.

Aside from their relationship as Brodsky fellows, Spengler and Battcher are roommates and friends. Spengler says that her friendship with Battcher, who holds different political views, made her realize that civil discourse around politics is a very real possibility. “We’re in classes together, we’re friends,” said Spengler. “We have all these similar interests. And just because we have different views on politics doesn’t mean that we can’t get along in so many other aspects of life.”