Political Science Senior and Gymnastics Captain Cecilia Cooley Balances Policy and Performance

For Cecilia Cooley, a senior in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (CAHSS) pursuing a degree in political science and captain of the University of Denver (DU) gymnastics team, balance is more than a goal - it’s a way of life. 

“DU offers a really good balance, probably the best balance, between academics and high-level athletics,” Cooley said. “It’s exceeded my expectations in both areas.” 

Originally from Manhattan, New York, Cooley was drawn to DU for its strong academics, supportive coaching staff, and Colorado’s outdoor lifestyle. Now in her final year, she has found ways to excel both in the classroom and in the gym. For example, this past summer Cooley interned with U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper’s Denver office, an experience that brought her political science coursework to life.  

“We had to communicate with constituents over email and phone and relay that information to our staff, which were things I had already practiced in my classes,” she said. “It was nice to feel like I already had those skill sets.” 

Cooley credits her professors in the Department of Political Science for helping her secure the internship: “They really helped me with my application and wrote great recommendations,” she said. She also highlighted the mentorship of associate professor Sara Chatfield, who encouraged her to pursue public policy opportunities. “[Chatfield] made the field of political science really interesting and brought in a lot of real-world examples from her own experiences.” 

Throughout her student journey, Cooley has appreciated how many political science professors at DU have actually worked in government or law, saying their professional backgrounds make classroom discussions especially relevant. “They are able to teach using real-world examples from their careers or current research, which makes the course content come alive,” she said. 

In the gym, Cooley competes on the bars, beam, and floor, and she leads her team with focus and determination. “Gymnastics is very high pressure; it’s just you on the equipment,” she said. “It’s challenging but extremely rewarding.” 

That same discipline, Cooley says, translates to her academics: “The focus it takes to study for hours before an exam is the same focus you need to perfect a routine. That drive and determination overlap perfectly for me.” 

After graduation, Cooley hopes to continue working in public policy, possibly on Capitol Hill, and she plans to pursue a master’s degree in global policy or foreign affairs. Fortunately, the lessons she’s learned at DU have prepared her to take on future challenges in her professional trajectory.  

“I want to exude confidence, consistency and hard work in my career,” Cooley said. “Those qualities are what have defined my success in both athletics and academics at the University of Denver.”