Name: Gianni Quattrocchi
Major/Degree/College: BA, political science, College of Liberal Arts
Hometown: Bristol Borough, Pa.
The vibrant dialogue of engaged students echoing through corridors during a campus tour caught Gianni Quattrocchi’s attention, ultimately leading him to choose Temple University over other notable competitors like Penn State, Northeastern, Drexel and Boston University.
“What swayed me was walking by Mazur Hall,” said Quattrocchi. “I was interested in politics, and they were discussing an environmental protection policy and there was a level and depth to the discussion they were having. I thought if that was the caliber of the discussions in a random class, then that was something I wanted to be a part of.”
For Quattrocchi, being on campus led to leadership, as he became president of Temple Student Government (TSG) in his junior year. He served in this position under two Temple presidents and supported students during the loss of a police officer and a protest by graduate students. He found his term to be both rewarding and challenging, bringing him media coverage on national and regional television and on digital platforms such as The Philadelphia Inquirer and Inside Higher Education.
“It was eventful. Some might call it chaotic but there was a lot of opportunity for engagement and involvement at a level that TSG had not been involved in for a long time,” he said. “I felt we were the most active and effective student government last year (2022–2023). I would put us in the top 10 last year. There was a high level of opportunity especially around public safety.”
Examples of TSG initiatives Quattrocchi led during his tenure include the hosting of town halls and fostering collaboration with the Temple Police Department, allowing students to voice their concerns. “We pushed out a lot of information about the patrol zone and increased awareness about safety systems,” he said.
His Temple Made moment came during a presidential investiture ceremony when a glitch in the teleprompter forced him to ad-lib. He recalled Temple Trustee Tamron Hall, KLN ’92, complimenting him on his fast pivot. “It gave me the confidence to do more public speaking and to know that I got this,” he said.
While at Temple, Quattrocchi actively engaged in political campaigns and secured valuable internships, honing his practical skills in the field. In the fall of 2023, he served in the office of U.S. Senator Bob Casey (Pa.-D), followed by a summer internship in 2023 with state Representative Tina Davis (D), and a prior summer stint in 2022 with Steve Santarsiero for Pennsylvania Senate (D). These experiences were instrumental in preparing him for his forthcoming studies at the University of Pennsylvania Law School upon graduation and laying a solid foundation for his future political career.
Quattrocchi took international relations classes with Assistant Political Science Professor Lauren Farmer, whom he credits with the framework for his career.
“She always emphasized the human aspect of politics,” he said. “People sometimes get reduced to numbers, but we are here to help people.”