The Siena polling institute whose results are recognized around the world now has refurbished space for its operations.
The Siena College Research Institute (SCRI) dedicated its renovated offices, calling center and intern workspace in the basement of Hines Hall on November 30. SCRI conducts more than 75 local, regional, statewide and national studies each year on a wide range of issues. It is widely respected for its accuracy as well: the SCRI has an ‘A’ rating from fivethirtyeight.com.
“We reflect on the thousands of students who have worked at SCRI as interviewers or grown as Saints in their roles as research and marketing assistants,” said Don Levy, Ph.D., SCRI’s director. “Students not only gain valuable work experience at SCRI but see their labor contribute to augmenting our democracy and promoting our community’s well-being as they broadcast the Siena name and mission across the entire country. We look forward to joining with ever more Saints to use polling to make our world a more just and sustainable environment for all.”
On average the SCRI employs between 100 and 200 students each academic year, making it by far the largest student employer on campus. Levy said more than 1,000 different student employees have been part of the SCRI team over the years, with some staying throughout their entire college career. Two former interns – Travis Brodbeck '17 and Andrea Cianfarani '22 – are now part of the full-time staff.
Some of the most well-known polling comes from the SCRI’s partnership with the New York Times. Their joint political poll results are regularly picked up by media outlets around the globe.
“My Dad called me from Spain to say he saw the Siena name in the online newspaper Morning Brew,” said Laia Giralt ’25, a data analysis intern.
Siena President Chuck Seifert, Ph.D. said alumni and friends of Siena often mention the Siena poll results to him on his travels.
“So many people tell me they have seen the Siena poll results,” he said. “From upstate New York to California, everyone talks about it. It’s an excellent way for the College to build brand and name recognition.”
Marketing intern Isabella Painter ’24, who creates graphics and manages SCRI’s Instagram page, said being part of the team “has definitely made me more interested in current events.”
More than 100,000 individual surveys are completed each year by SCRI’s callers, not only about politics but on topics related to business, consumer confidence, history and more. In addition to poll calling, interns and employees conduct community-based research with local organizations, analyze data and write reports.
“This work is on the cutting edge of civic engagement. It’s an excellent way for students to learn about issues in their communities and beyond, and to supplement the classwork they are doing in a wide number of majors.”
Leslie Foster, SCRI’s business development manager
“You have to make a lot of calls to get a full survey done, but I don’t get discouraged. I like talking to people, and this is the best job on campus.”
Kaitlin DeForest ’26
