 Schlichting is the founder and director of the Fairfield County Research Center which involves Fairfield University faculty and students in research projects for local governments and non-profit organizations.Schlichting was also the co-founder and vice president of The Analysis Group Inc., now Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research where he worked as a political consultant to Senator Christopher Dodd, Governor William O'Neill and the Connecticut Democratic Party.Schlichting received his bachelor's degree from Fairfield University in 1970 and his master's degree and a doctorate from New York University.