Iona University’s Connor Murray ’25 Shapes His Path Through Real-World Impact
A double major in criminal justice and political science, Murray completed four internships and two fellowships during his undergraduate career
New Rochelle, N.Y. — From serving as a Campus Minister and an executive board member of the Student Government Association to performing at Mass with Music Ministry and courtside with the Pep Band, Connor Murray ’25 is seemingly everywhere, all the time – all while embodying the values of presence, compassion and liberation that the Christian Brothers fostered within him.
As a double major in criminal justice and political science, the Andover, Mass., native has always been driven by a deep desire to make an impact.
During his time at Iona, he has also completed an impressive four internships and two fellowships, each centered around public service and politics. While these internships helped to pave the way toward a bright future, the lessons he learned at Iona have also played a crucial role in preparing him for the path ahead.
“Iona taught me that real change happens through relationships — whether with a professor, a peer or someone in the community,” he said. “The close-knit environment here has laid the foundation for me to pursue a career where I can make a real impact. I’m eager to continue applying everything I’ve learned.”
Heeding Iona’s call to learn outside the lines of the classroom, Murray’s internships at the New Rochelle Police Department, WESPAC Foundation, Massachusetts House of Representatives, and with a local attorney and judge have helped him connect his academic studies to real-world experiences.
“Through these internships, I have learned the power of community involvement and how policy and advocacy directly shape people’s lives,” he said. “They’ve shown me the importance of service and leadership in creating lasting change.”
Beyond this, he has also participated in two fellowships during his time at Iona. The first was the Rising Leader Fellowship with GreenFaith, an interfaith organization focused on environmental advocacy from a spiritual perspective.
Most recently, he participated in the Presidential Fellowship at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress (CSPC). As part of the fellowship, he conducted research on how political divisions in foreign nations influence voting trends across the United States, ultimately attending a prestigious leadership conference in Washington, D.C.
“My trip to Washington, D.C., for the CSPC Presidential Fellows Leadership Conference was genuinely unforgettable. From our internal conversations about the current state of politics in America to our meetings at the State Department and Supreme Court to nightly dinners with famous diplomats, every minute of every day was spent expanding our personal networks and knowledge of the U.S government,” Murray said.
“I am especially honored to have been selected to represent the Presidential Fellows at the CSPC Awards Dinner,” he continued. “My time with the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress has left me profoundly inspired and motivated to continue my pursuit of a career in public service.”
