Change of plans: Graduate’s newfound love for research turned a two-year master’s into a PhD

When Francesca Bové began her graduate studies at Binghamton University in 2019, she expected to stay for just two years. She had enrolled in the Master of Public Administration program with plans to work in nonprofit administration, and soon did exactly that – serving as grants manager at the American Civic Association, a Binghamton-based nonprofit that supports immigrants and refugees.

“I just thought I was getting a professional degree and then I would leave,” she said. But through her work with faculty in the College of Community and Public Affairs (CCPA), Bové discovered a deeper interest in research – specifically equity-driven research focused on marginalized populations. Encouraged by mentors and opportunities to collaborate on academic projects, she chose to stay and pursue her PhD in Community Research and Action.

That decision opened new doors and redefined her goals. Over the course of her doctoral program, Bové contributed to a wide range of research initiatives, including studies on supporting students with disabilities and highlighting the experiences of women of color in the public workforce. She also launched an original dissertation project examining systemic barriers in the U.S. naturalization process.

Her research focuses on why certain groups – such as Hispanic immigrants, men and people from predominantly Muslim nations – achieve citizenship at lower rates than others. The qualitative project was inspired by quantitative work published by other scholars in 2022 and by what Bové witnessed firsthand during her years at the American Civic Association.

“It was a pattern that I also noticed when I worked at the American Civic Association,” she said. “I worked there for five years while I was studying at (Binghamton), and I noticed this pattern then, too, and I decided to study it for my dissertation.”

Outside of her research, Bové immersed herself in student life. She served as vice president of the Community Research and Action Program’s Graduate Student Organization, planning events that brought students together both professionally and socially. From CV workshops to study sessions and end-of-the-year picnics, she worked to build community among graduate students across CCPA. “We did a lot of programming for our students, just to get everybody to know each other on a more personal level.”

One of her most memorable experiences came when she represented Binghamton at the international Let Us Dream Conference. Held in Bangalore, India, the conference brought together scholars and practitioners from around the world. Bové helped plan the event and moderated a panel on ethical migration, facilitating a conversation between faculty from three different countries. She and other students also took time to explore the region, visiting Delhi and the Taj Mahal before the conference began. “It was amazing,” she said. “Definitely one of the coolest things I’ve gotten to do as a student.”

This spring, Bové was recognized for her academic contributions with one of the University’s Graduate Student Excellence Awards. She became the first CCPA student to win the award for Excellence in Research, a meaningful recognition of the work she’s done over the past six years.

Now, as she prepares to graduate, Bové isn’t going far. She’ll be starting a full-time position at Binghamton as a research development associate in the Office of Strategic Research Initiatives. The new role, she said, feels like the perfect next step. “It feels like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be – even if it’s not where I thought I was headed when I first got here.”

She and her fiancé – also a PhD student at CCPA – have made a home on the West Side of Binghamton. They love participating in community events like the Bridge Run and taking advantage of all the city has to offer. “We’re mostly just very nerdy,” she joked. “But Binghamton’s been a great place to be nerdy.”

Reflecting on her journey, Bové said she’s simply grateful – for the mentors, the opportunities and the unexpected turns that brought her to where she is now. “I never thought I was going to live in Binghamton for more than two years, and now I’m in year six of living here,” she said.

“There are so many opportunities. I feel like it just exceeded my expectations.”