From UToledo to Oxford, Political Science Major Makes the Most of Every Opportunity

From UToledo to Oxford, Political Science Major Makes the Most of Every Opportunity

For Tabitha Romer, The University of Toledo has always felt like home.

Growing up nearby with parents who work at the University, she spent her childhood exploring campus and developing a deep attachment to the institution that would eventually shape her future.

Now a sophomore studying political science and Jesup Scott Honors College ambassador, Romer has transformed that childhood familiarity into something far more ambitious.

In just over three semesters, she's studied constitutional texts at Oxford University, conducted paid research on Ohio's 1912 constitutional convention and found a best friend and vibrant academic community, all while mapping out a future in law and public service.

The Power of Saying Yes

Looking back on her whirlwind first year and a half at UToledo, Romer said she attributes much of her success to a simple philosophy: "put yourself out there." She started by getting involved in the Honors College.

"Even if you're nervous, and you're afraid you won't know anybody at an event, just try it," Romer said. "At least you can say that you went and you tried, and who knows, you might end up meeting a friend, or you might discover a new hobby that you really enjoy."

She also said "yes" when a professor invited her to get involved with UToledo's Institute of American Constitutional Thought and Leadership, an independent academic unit established by the Ohio Legislature in 2023.

The Institute conducts teaching, research and public programming on the core texts and great debates that have shaped the American constitutional order, and it prepares students for responsible leadership and informed citizenship - including through study abroad, scholarships and research opportunities.

From Toledo to Oxford

After plugging into the institute's Model Senate and other programming, Romer was invited to study abroad with the group the summer after her freshman year. For someone who had never traveled beyond Canada, the prospect was intimidating.

"I was terrified," she said. "I've never been overseas."

But Romer decided to take a chance and found herself at the University of Oxford's Pembroke College analyzing constitutional texts and exploring the ideas of James Madison and Thomas Jefferson.

"It was amazing," she said. "If I had the opportunity to go anywhere, England would have been my first choice, and there I was dissecting texts about what freedom means, what democracy means, what 'we the people' means."

Chain Reaction

When she returned to UToledo this past fall, the opportunities continued to snowball.

Romer began working for the Institute of American Constitutional Thought and Leadership in December, supporting research on Ohio's 1912 constitutional convention as part of the Quill Project, a partnership with Oxford aimed at digitizing constitutional texts to make them more accessible.

She's currently compiling biographical information on delegates from the convention.

"It's all been like a chain reaction," Romer said of the experiences that came one after another.

Through it all, the Honors Learning Community has been her anchor.

"Honors has brought me so many great opportunities - the biggest one being a sense of community," said Romer, who now serves as an ambassador for the program. "I always know Honors has my back. They are people who you can count on."

What's Next

As she considers her future, Romer wants to be someone others can count on, too.

"I've always been passionate about human rights," Romer said.

That commitment drives her academic goals. After she earns her bachelor's degree in political science, with minors in Spanish and Latin American Studies, Romer said she plans to attend law school, with immigration law as one career aspiration. She also envisions a future in public service, perhaps working for the Ohio Senate or holding a government office.

But first, with two and a half years as an undergraduate Rocket still ahead of her, Romer isn't slowing down. She's already eyeing another study abroad opportunity in a Spanish-speaking country to complement her language studies.

For other students wondering whether to take that first nervous step toward an opportunity that seems intimidating, Romer offers reassurance based on experience.

"You just have to learn how to have a little confidence and put yourself out there," she said. "You never know when you walk through a new door what other doors will open."