Campus
Dartmouth Climate Experts Join Global Policy Advisory Roles
Two Dartmouth faculty members will advise international climate policy, bringing Upper Valley research insights to global sustainability discussions.
Sofia Martinez
Politics & Advocacy Reporter
Sofia Martinez is a junior from Houston, Texas, majoring in Government & Public Policy. A Latina with campaign experience, she brings strong opinions shaped by activism to her coverage of politics, equity, and accountability at Dartmouth and in the Upper Valley. Her writing is persuasive, bold, and focused on justice.
Covers: Politics, Activism, Justice, Campus
Articles by Sofia Martinez (22)
Campus
Tucker Center Launches Paid Interfaith Program for Local Community
The college's interfaith initiative expands beyond campus with structured curriculum targeting Upper Valley residents, marking strategic shift in programming.
Campus
Tucker Center's Interfaith Course Targets Community Growth
New program aims to expand religious dialogue beyond campus boundaries.
Campus
NH House education chair says she supports schools split by party after leaked chat
New Hampshire Rep. Kristin Noble, the Republican chair of the House Education Policy and Administration Committee, publicly said she supports separating schools by political party after private messages surfaced that appeared to show her advocating for “segregated schools.” Noble’s statement, released Wednesday through the House Republican Office, followed a report by the left-leaning news site Granite Post that published screenshots of messages from a Signal chat labeled “EdPolicy2026.” The messages were attributed to a user labeled “Kristin Noble” and included: “when we have segregated schools we can add all the fun stuff lol,” followed by, “imagine the scores though if
Culture
Fast Friends leader Sharron Thomas steps down after decades with Swanzey rescue
SWANZEY, N.H. — Sharron Thomas, a longtime leader of Fast Friends Greyhound Adoption, has stepped down as executive director after more than 20 years at the helm, according to a post on the organization’s Facebook page. Thomas, who began with Fast Friends as a volunteer more than 30 years ago, will continue working part-time as the nonprofit’s engagement director, the post said. Amy Roy, previously the organization’s development director, became executive director on Jan. 1, according to the same announcement. The leadership transition comes as Fast Friends continues a mission that has evolved since the organization was founded in 1992:
Campus
Dartmouth students spend Winterim on internships, travel, service and training
As Dartmouth students return to campus after the College’s six-week winter break, some say they used the extended “winterim” period to take on internships, volunteer work, travel and athletic training that can be difficult to fit into the academic term. Dartmouth’s winter break runs from Thanksgiving until after New Year’s, giving students roughly six weeks off campus. Students described using the time for professional development, College-sponsored programs, Outing Club trips and time with family and friends. Ellie Barry ’29 said she spent part of winterim working as a project assistant for Dartmouth’s Evergreen.AI, a college-specific wellness artificial intelligence being built
Campus
Dartmouth says August cyberattack exposed personal data of over 40,000 people
More than 40,000 people had personal information compromised in an August cyberattack that targeted Dartmouth College’s Oracle E-Business Suite software, according to data breach notices the College filed with state attorneys general in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine on Nov. 24, 2025. The breach matters now because the compromised information includes highly sensitive identifiers such as Social Security numbers and bank account information, and because Dartmouth officials say they are still reviewing what data was involved and notifying affected individuals. According to the breach notices, a ransomware group known as Clop claimed responsibility for the incident on its website on
Campus
Judge Declines to Block Vermont's Return-to-Office Mandate for State Workers
A Vermont Superior Court judge has denied an attempt by the Vermont State Employees’ Association (VSEA) to halt the state’s return-to-office mandate, allowing the policy to take effect as scheduled on December 1. The decision clears the way for nearly 3,000 state employees to begin reporting to their offices at least three days a week, following a directive from Governor Phil Scott. The union filed for an injunction last month in Washington County Superior Court, arguing that the mandate would disrupt the lives of many state employees who have worked remotely since the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. In
Campus
Dartmouth Orchestra to Tour Italy, Linking Music With Food and Sustainability
This December, a group of Dartmouth student musicians will travel to Italy as part of an initiative that blends the arts with global dialogue on food systems and sustainability. The trip, involving performances, symposiums, and collaborations with Italian institutions, highlights an interdisciplinary effort to connect music, cultural heritage, and environmental inquiry. From December 2 to 6, eight students from the Dartmouth Symphony Orchestra will begin their visit in Rome. There, they will participate in the Food at the Nexus of Territory, Tradition, and Climate Change symposium at the American Academy in Rome. The event—organized in cooperation with Dartmouth’s Provost’s Office,
Campus
Young Adults Cite Dating, Cost Barriers to Staying in New Hampshire
As New Hampshire contends with an aging workforce, recent survey results point to an often overlooked factor in retaining younger residents: a lack of social connection and viable dating opportunities. A new report from Stay Work Play, a nonprofit focused on attracting and retaining young people in New Hampshire, highlights growing dissatisfaction among residents aged 26 to 35, a key age group for the state’s long-term workforce and community vitality. While most 18 to 25-year-olds surveyed express optimism about staying in the state, satisfaction drops significantly for the next age bracket. Corinne Benfield, executive director at Stay Work Play, said
Campus
Black Mountain Opens First in NH Ski Season After Early Snowfall
Black Mountain in Jackson opened its lifts just 90 minutes before Bretton Woods last Saturday, becoming the first ski area in New Hampshire to launch the 2025-26 season. The early opening marked a milestone for the 91-year-old resort, its earliest start date in recorded history. The season’s debut followed a week of favorable weather, including up to nine inches of natural snowfall across the state and consistently cold night temperatures, which allowed ski operators to ramp up snowmaking efforts. This combination enabled multiple resorts to prepare trails ahead of schedule. According to Erik Mogensen, president and general manager of Black
Campus
Scott Criticizes School Redistricting Task Force for Missing Key Mandate
Vermont Governor Phil Scott criticized a legislative task force this week for failing to deliver new school district maps as required by state law, raising concerns about the state’s long-term education reform efforts and financial sustainability. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Scott said the task force “didn’t fulfill their obligation” under Act 73, legislation that mandated the group to submit one to three district maps by December 1. “They didn’t redraw the lines,” Scott said. “They were supposed to put forward three maps for consideration, and they failed.” Scott’s remarks reflect a broader frustration as Vermont lawmakers prepare to return
Campus
Democrats Sweep Key East Coast Races, Prompting Campus Reactions
Democratic victories up and down the East Coast in Tuesday’s state elections have drawn attention from Dartmouth students across the political spectrum. Wins in New York City, Virginia, and New Jersey highlighted a night of strong Democratic performance and spurred conversations on campus about the direction of national politics. Zohran Mamdani, a New York State Assemblymember and self-described democratic socialist, defeated former governor Andrew Cuomo in the New York City mayoral race. Mamdani won 50.4% of the vote compared to Cuomo’s 41.6%, with turnout surpassing 2 million ballots for the first time since 1969. His platform focused on affordable housing,
Campus
Dartmouth to Build New Dorm Honoring Alumnae Contributions
Dartmouth College has announced plans to construct a new residence hall named Alumnae Hall, the fourth student housing project launched by the college since last summer. The dormitory, funded by 27 female graduates who each contributed $1 million, aims to recognize the contributions of Dartmouth alumnae and address ongoing housing demands on campus. The $27 million building will be located at the eastern gateway to Hanover, prominently visible to those entering via Ledyard Bridge. At five stories tall, it will house 95 juniors and seniors in apartment-style residences and physically connect to another planned dormitory, Shonda Rhimes Hall. According to
Campus
Feeding the Fallout: New Hampshire’s Hunger Crisis During the Shutdown
The shutdown is not just a political standoff. It’s a crisis. And in New Hampshire, it’s hitting stomachs first. With federal programs frozen and paychecks stalled, families across the state are turning to food banks, not out of choice, but out of necessity. The New Hampshire Food Bank, in coordination with the state government, has launched emergency food distributions to fill the gap. But let’s be clear: this is a bandage, not a solution. When the government shuts down, it doesn’t just stop funding. It stops feeding. SNAP benefits stall. WIC offices close. School lunch programs tighten. And the people
Campus
Hanover Residents Push Back on Policing Ordinance Revision at Public Hearing
At a public hearing on November 3, Hanover residents expressed overwhelming opposition to a proposed revision of the town’s policing ordinance that would bring it into compliance with a new state law banning sanctuary cities. Of the 13 community members who spoke during the session, 12 urged the Selectboard not to adopt the changes. The proposed revision would require the Hanover Police Department to cooperate with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials, including honoring detention requests for undocumented individuals. This adjustment would effectively end Hanover’s status as a sanctuary community. Town Manager Robert Houseman introduced the revised language to
Campus
Foreign Policy, Local Reckoning: Sullivan’s Return Sparks Demands for Accountability
When Jake Sullivan stepped onto the stage at Cook Auditorium on November 4, he wasn’t just returning to his old classroom. He was stepping into a room full of students, faculty, and community members ready to hear from the man who helped shape U.S. foreign policy during two of the most volatile global conflicts in recent memory. Gaza. Ukraine. The Middle East. The stakes were high, and so were the expectations. Sullivan, who served as National Security Advisor under President Biden, spoke with a mix of conviction and vulnerability. He defended the administration’s record, but he didn’t shy away from
Culture
Empty Plates, Empty Promises: SNAP Cuts Hit New Hampshire Hard
The federal government shut down. Again. And this time, it’s not just bureaucrats furloughed or parks closed. It’s food. It’s families. It’s 75,000 New Hampshire residents waking up on November 1 without the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program they rely on to eat. That’s not a policy hiccup. That’s a moral collapse. Let’s be clear: SNAP isn’t some fringe program. It’s the backbone of food security for low-income households. It’s how single parents feed their kids. How seniors stretch fixed incomes. How disabled residents survive. And now, thanks to Congress’s failure to pass a budget, it’s gone. The U.S. Department of
Campus
Shutdown Politics and the Price of Inaction
The threat of a government shutdown isn’t just a headline. It’s a warning. A signal that something is broken. And in New Hampshire, that signal is flashing red. Again. As Congress barrels toward another funding deadline, the same questions resurface. Who’s responsible? Who’s protected? And who pays the price when lawmakers fail to do their jobs? This isn’t theoretical. It’s not abstract. A shutdown means real consequences for real people. Federal workers furloughed. SNAP benefits delayed. Veterans waiting for care. Students losing access to financial aid. And in a state like New Hampshire, where federal dollars support everything from rural
Campus
When Hospitals Close, Who Gets Left Behind? The Fight for Rural Healthcare Equity
Rural hospitals aren’t just buildings. They’re lifelines. And in places like northern New Hampshire, they’re vanishing. The closure of Cottage Hospital in Woodsville isn’t just a local tragedy, it’s a warning. A warning that rural healthcare is being left behind, piece by piece, policy by policy. And the people paying the price? Low-income families, elderly patients, and frontline workers who’ve been told their zip code makes them expendable. Cottage Hospital served more than 15,000 people across dozens of small towns. It was the only hospital within reach for many residents. Now, it’s gone. No emergency room. No inpatient care. No
Campus
Federal Judge Blocks New Hampshire’s DEI Ban, Exposing Political Overreach in Public Schools
New Hampshire’s war on equity just hit a wall. A federal judge has slammed the brakes on a sweeping state law that sought to erase diversity, equity, and inclusion from public education. The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Landya McCafferty, isn’t just a legal technicality. It’s a lifeline. For students. For educators. For anyone who believes schools should reflect the real world and serve every child, not just the ones who fit a narrow mold. The law, passed earlier this year and tucked into the state budget, was designed to choke off DEI initiatives in public schools. It banned
Culture
New Hampshire’s Absentee Ballot Crackdown Targets the Margins
Let’s call this what it is: a calculated squeeze on the most vulnerable voters in New Hampshire. Starting September 30, the state will enforce new absentee ballot requirements that don’t just tweak the process, they overhaul it. And not in a way that expands access. These laws, passed with Republican backing, now demand photo identification from anyone requesting an absentee ballot. First-time registrants using absentee forms must also mail in proof of U.S. citizenship. That’s not modernization. That’s obstruction. Supporters claim it’s about aligning absentee voting with in-person standards. But who benefits from that alignment? Not the elderly. Not the