Ceylan’s works with the Miller Library Community Garden and the mayor’s office, where he collects payments, communicates with all subscribers of the garden, and seeks out and drafts applications for various Connecticut-based grants in relation to improving Hamden’s gardens.

Ceylan has met with nearly all department heads to discuss areas of improvement for the “SeeClickFix” work order system, and has been assisting the engineering department with revitalizing their constituent access platform.

“A cool aspect of my position has also been drafting proclamations as, when they are eventually released and signed into order, it’s a great feeling knowing that I was able to contribute to a holiday or specialized day being recognized formally within Hamden,” he said.

As a political science major at Quinnipiac, Ceylan said that “a lot of political science-based education and organizational leadership has taught me valuable lessons in social networking, formal political writing, delegation of tasks, and overseeing a group of individuals.”

Within his fellowship, he is looking forward to getting to know Hamden as a municipality better, the at large concerns of constituents, working alongside the deputy chief of staff, and overall developing a good understanding of what it takes to be a political full time public servant.

“What I find most important about public service work are the constituent concerns,” he said. “Everyday, on some other street or some other part of town, there is someone who requires attention and service from their representatives which may vary by department or sector.”

Ceylan believes it is up to the public servant to approach areas of concern or improvement with humility and with their best foot forward in the attempt to resolve all tasks.

“Without its constituents, municipalities are nothing; therefore, they are the most important part of the work local government conducts,” he said.

The mayor’s office fellowship has influenced Ceylan’s opinion on local government in the form of a newly refined admiration for the amount of time and work the collective staff puts into their everyday tasks.

“Advocating and representing the wider collective of our illusive municipality is truly a privilege for whoever may assume such responsibilities,” he said. “I hope to one day do the same myself.”

Ceylan said he believes that the pace, energy and feelings associated with the local government buildings and the work they conduct is unmatched. He encourages any younger students at Quinnipiac, regardless of major, to consider the fellowship program.

“I’d like to formally thank Quinnipiac for providing not only myself, but the wider group of fellows, for this opportunity to work within Hamden’s local government,” he said. “If I could, I’d do it all over again.”