Please fill out our brief form if you are a Macalester Political Science alumni willing to be contacted by current students for informational interviews, job advice, or career recommendations. You may update your information at any time.
Current students may contact the following alumni on matters regarding professional development. Click on an individual’s name for contact information and a description of their expertise.
BUSINESS CONSULTING
- Jan Kozak, Marketing Manager
- Christopher Wright, Research Fellow, Center for Development and Environment, University of Oslo
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS/NGOS
- Arda Kuran, Political Advisor
- Alireze Javaheri, Special Advisor
- Sherazad Hamit, West Coast Outreach Coordinator, OneVoice Movement, New York
- Jessica Hawkinson, Seminar Coordinator
- Oriel Fernandes, Research Assistant , International Monetary Fund
- Maurice Roers, City Planner/Urban Designer
- Ihotu Ali, Community Research Coordinator
- Robin Rich, Former Assistant Executive Director
- Alissabeth Ridenour, Peace Corps Health Education Volunteer
- Christopher Wright, Research Fellow, Center for Development and Environment, University of Oslo
LAW AND GRADUATE SCHOOL
- Carleton S. Gholz, University of Pittsburgh, Dept. of Communication
- Arda Kuran, University of Bristol, United Kingdom
- Jan Kozak, United Nations University
- Patrick Guarasci, MA, Political Science, University of Wisconsin (2007)
- Amanda Muehlhausen, Tulane Law School
- Jennifer Shore, University of Konstanz (Germany)
- Grant Stegner, Lehman College
- Brian O’Fahey, Georgetown University Law Center
- Carrie Norbin Killoran, Harvard University – Law School and JFK School of Government
- Christopher Mitchell, Humphrey Institute, University of Minnesota
- Ihotu Ali, University of Minnesota School of Public Health (pending)
- Romina Laouri, University of Chicago
- Robin Rich, University of Pennsylvania, Nonprofit/NGO Leadership Program, Masters Degree
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
- Jeremy Hanson, Communications Director, Office of the Mayor
- Josh Jorgensen, Constituent Liaison, New York City Council Member’s Office
- Ahna Minge, Problem Properties Unit Analyst
NON-PROFITS
- Nick Berning, communications director, MoveOn.org
- Alicia R. Phillips, Vice President of Development
- Brendan Bell, Washington Representative
- Daniel Allen, Legislative Program Assistant, Friends Committee on National Legislation
- Sara Langhinrichs, Research Assistant
- Brendan Duke, Communications Associate
- Christopher Mitchell, Director, Telecommunications as Commons Initiative
- Ihotu Ali, Community Research Coordinator
- Sarah Keiser, Prevent Child Abuse North Dakota
- Romina Laouri, Global Integrator, Ashoka: Innovators for the Public
- Natalia Mari Espejo, Lobbyist/Research Assistant
- Anthony Berglund, Admission Possible Junior Coach
- Robin Rich, Former Assistant Executive Director
POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS
- Jeremy Hanson, Communications Director, Office of the Mayor
- Stephanie Potter, Press Assistant, Al Franken for US Senate (Minnesota)
- Will Howell, Al Franken for Senate
- Max Siegel, Sandoval for Judge (San Francisco)
POLITICAL COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA
- Nick Berning, communications director, MoveOn.org
- Diana Petty, Grassroots Solutions Project Assistant
- Herschel Nachlis, Editorial Intern, The Atlantic Monthly
- Max Siegel, Sandoval for Judge (San Francisco)
- Brendan Bell, Washington Representative
- Sara Langhinrichs, Research Assistant
- Brendan Duke, Communications Associate
PUBLIC SERVICE JOBS (TEACH FOR AMERICA, JOB CORPS, PEACE CORPS)
- Franz Meyer, Teach for America Milwuakee
- Grant Stegner, Teacher
- Anthony Berglund, Admission Possible Junior Coach
- Clare Ryan, Promise Fellow
- Alissabeth Ridenour, Peace Corps Health Education Volunteer
- Bonnie Driscoll, High School Spanish Teacher
- Jess Hasken, Teach for America – Teacher
- Rachel Brady, Junior high school teacher
SCHOLARSHIPS (TRUMAN, RHODES, FULBRIGHT, BRITISH MARSHALL)
- Emily Hedin, Fulbright Student Researcher, Senegal
- Carrie Norbin Killoran, Truman Scholar (MN 1993)
STATE OR U.S. GOVERNMENT
- Arda Kuran, Political Advisor
- Patrick Guarasci, Owner, G. Strategies LLC
- Andrea L. Johnson, Legislative Correspondent
- Dan Moring, Executive Consultant
- Katie Mesner-Hage, Civil Rights Paralegal
- Brendan Bell, Washington Representative
- Sarah Keiser Johnson , Talent Marketing Coordinator – North Dakota Department of Commerce
- Kelsey Hornbach, Scheduler and Office Manager to Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter Chairwoman of the House Rules Committee
- Philip Chen, Legislative Assistant
- Claire Marshall, Minnesota Attorney General’s Office
- Maurice Roers, City Planner/Urban Designer
- Charles Sellers, Foreign Service Officer
- John Jensen, Assistant Director of Privacy and Security
- Daniel Allen, Legislative Program Assistant, Friends Committee on National Legislation
Nick Berning
Class of 2002
Work title: communications director, MoveOn.org
Carleton S. Gholz
Class of 1999
Contact: [email protected]
Work title: Teaching Fellow
Job description: Doctoral student and teaching fellow at University of Pittsburgh, Department of Communication
Graduate school: University of Pittsburgh, Dept. of Communication
Arda Kuran
Class of 2005
Contact: 00905338402727 (work), [email protected]
Work title: Political Advisor
Job description: Serve as the US Mission’s principle adviser on political and economic issues in the Turkish Cypriot (T/C) community, forging and maintaining those close relationships with key leaders and working-level contacts there. Hold a detailed awareness of developments, with special attention to how they affect U.S. interests and policy goals. Present USG views to interlocutors and, in turn, assist the Embassy in understanding Turkish Cypriot positions.
Graduate school: University of Bristol, United Kingdom
Degrees: M. Sc. International Security
Scholarships: British Chevening Scholarship (UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office)
Jan Kozak
Class of 2003
Contact: [email protected], +011 506 393-4666
Work title: Marketing Manager
Job description: Real Estate Marketing and Sales, Hacienda El Dorado, Santa Ana, COSTA RICA
Graduate school: United Nations University
Degrees: MA International Relations
Scholarships: United Nations University
Patrick Guarasci
Class of 2000
Contact: [email protected], 608-692-0195, www.gstrategiesllc.com
Work title: Owner, G. Strategies LLC
Job description: G. Strategies is a development, organization, and strategy firm based in Milwaukee, WI. Our consultants work with a variety of clients including political candidates, non-profit groups, and business organizations, both in Wisconsin and nationally. G. Strategies is also involved in several community-based development projects, and has extensive experience working in different areas throughout the US. Our firm has had the opportunity to work for several major candidates for office, and we are committed to utilizing a values-based approach to finding the resources needed to accomplish a client’s goals.
Graduate school: MA, Political Science, University of Wisconsin (2007)
Jeremy Hanson
Class of 1995
Contact: 612-306-5274, [email protected]
Work title: Communications Director, Office of the Mayor
Job description: I coordinate media relations and public communications for the Mayor of Minneapolis, MN.
Diana Petty
Class of 2009
Contact: [email protected]; (919) 260-9561
Work title: Grassroots Solutions Project Assistant
Job description: Working on grassroots advocacy campaigns for clients, and also some electoral research.
Alireze Javaheri
Class of 2001
Contact: [email protected]
Work title: Special Advisor
Job description: I work at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs with human rights issues and UN-matters.
Herschel Nachlis
Class of 2007
Contact: [email protected]
Work title: Editorial Intern, The Atlantic Monthly
Amanda Muehlhausen
Class of 2005
Contact: [email protected]
Work title: 3rd year law student
Job description: I will be working for Schulte, Roth, and Zable, a corporate law firm in NYC, starting in September.
Graduate school: Tulane Law School
Jennifer Shore
Class of 2004
Contact: [email protected]
Graduate school: University of Konstanz (Germany)
Degrees: MA, Public Policy and Management
Stephanie Potter
Class of 2008
Contact: 612-508-6416, [email protected]
Work title: Press Assistant, Al Franken for US Senate (Minnesota)
Job description: Stephanie manages a crack team of communications interns who monitor blogs, TV and print media and work on a variety of communications-related projects. She also handles press duties such as scheduling interviews and writing press advisories. She reports to the campaign’s communications director and press secretary.
Alicia R. Phillips
Class of 1992
Contact: [email protected], 612-281-4809
Work title: Vice President of Development
Graduate school: University of Minnesota
Sherazad Hamit
Class of 2007
Contact: [email protected]
Work title: West Coast Outreach Coordinator, OneVoice Movement, New York
Job description: Conducting fundraising and outreach meetings with foundations, individual donors and celebrities on the west coast, and facilitating OneVoice projects and programming globally
Jessica Hawkinson
Class of 2008
Contact: [email protected], 610.888.1029
Work title: Seminar Coordinator
Job description: Educational Programming and Advocacy, Presbyterian Office, United Nations
Andrea L. Johnson
Class of 2006
Contact: 612-414-2150, [email protected]
Work title: Legislative Correspondent
Job description: U.S. House of Representatives, Congresswoman Betty McCollum
Will Howell
Class of 2008
Contact: [email protected], 503-569-2510
Work title: Al Franken for Senate
Oriel Fernandes
Class of 2009
Contact: [email protected]
Work title: Research Assistant , International Monetary Fund
Emily Hedin
Class of 2007
Contact: [email protected]
Work title: Fulbright Student Researcher, Senegal
Job description: Researching if/how micro finance impacts participants’ opinion regarding women’s rights and the efficacy of democratic participation. Comparative study between micro finance institutions that work exclusively with women and those who work with both men and women. Regions of focus: Dakar, Kaolack, Ziguinchor, Saint Louis, Tambacounda
Scholarships: Fulbright Student Researcher, Senegal
Other Info: Before the Fulbright, I traveled to Lima, Peru, as the recipient of the Upper Mid West Human Rights Fellowship (from the University of Minnesota’s Center for Human Rights). With my grant, I interned for a human rights organization called CODEHVES (El Comite de Derechos Humanos de Villa El Salvador), volunteered at a center for senior citizens. When I complete my Fulbright research in September 2008, I am returning to Lima to teach English and hopefully find a job in the NGO sector before pursuing graduate school.
Dan Moring
Class of 2003
Contact: [email protected], [email protected], 602-595-1725
Work title: Executive Consultant
Job description: Climate change policy analyst. Work involves legal and policy analysis, drafting briefing papers, qualitative and quantitative analysis, stakeholder meetings, drafting legislation, drafting rules and other regulatory documents, lobbying and public outreach.
Other Info: I’m happy to help out Mac kids however possible. Feel free to drop me a line if you’re interested in working in the field of climate change.
Franz Meyer
Class of 2009
Contact: [email protected]
Work title: Teach for America Milwuakee
Job description: I teach high school science in Milwaukee, Wisconson, as a member of Teach For America. Currently, I teach physics and earth and space science.
Graduate school: Marquette University
Degrees: Masters in Education
Other Info: Feel free to contact me about TFA or Milwaukee, or if you simply need a friendly face in Milwaukee.
Grant Stegner
Class of 2008
Contact: 952-857-9873
Work title: Teacher
Job description: 8th grade English Language Arts teacher at MS 302 in the South Bronx (New York City).
Graduate school: Lehman College
Degrees: Masters in Education
Other Info: Teach for America
Max Siegel
Class of 2007
Contact: (415) 632-7822, [email protected]
Work title: Sandoval for Judge (San Francisco)
Job description: I am responsible for most aspects of this campaign, including media relations, direct voter mail efforts and field organizing.
Other Info: Please contact me with any questions. I am available at any time. 3 AM calls are appreciated… really.
Brian O’Fahey
Class of 1996
Contact: [email protected]; 202-637-6541
Work title: Associate, Hogan & Hartson LLP
Job description: I work at a large, global law firm headquartered in Washington, D.C. I practice primarily in the area of corporate & securities (transactional) law.
Graduate school: Georgetown University Law Center
Degrees: J.D.
Other Info: I am happy to discuss law school and/or the practice of law with any students.
Katie Mesner-Hage
Class of 2008
Contact: [email protected]
Work title: Civil Rights Paralegal
Job description: Paralegal for Relman & Dane PLLC, a civil rights litigation firm based in Washington D.C. Practice areas include fair housing, fair lending, and employment discrimination, among others. We litigate on behalf of all protected classes. Paralegals commit for two years and provide case management, working directly with attorneys and being actively involved in all aspects of the litigation process.
Brendan Bell
Class of 2002
Contact: [email protected]
Work title: Washington Representative
Job description: I’m a lobbyist for the Union of Concerned Scientists focused on climate change with a particular emphasis on transportation
Sarah Keiser Johnson
Class of 2002
Contact: [email protected]
Work title: Talent Marketing Coordinator – North Dakota Department of Commerce
Job description: I implement and track strategic activities that connect individuals who want to relocate to North Dakota with existing businesses or organizations in the state that have career opportunities available.
Kelsey Hornbach
Class of 2008
Contact: [email protected]
Work title: Scheduler and Office Manager to Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter Chairwoman of the House Rules Committee
Job description: I work in the personal office of Congresswoman Slaughter managing her schedule, and the office itself.
Philip Chen
Class of 2006
Contact: [email protected]
Work title: Legislative Assistant
Claire Marshall
Class of 2007
Contact: [email protected]
Work title: Minnesota Attorney General’s Office
Maurice Roers
Class of 1997
Contact: [email protected]
Work title: City Planner/Urban Designer
Job description: I am responsible for the long-term planning and development of central Christchurch in New Zealand.
Graduate school: Harvard University – Kennedy School/GSD
Degrees: Masters in Public Policy and Urban Planning
Charles Sellers
Class of 1994
Contact: [email protected]
Work title: Foreign Service Officer
Job description: I work for the U.S. State Department and am heading for my second tour in La Paz, Bolivia. My first tour was in New Delhi.
John Jensen
Class of 1996
Contact: [email protected], [email protected]
Work title: Assistant Director of Privacy and Security
Job description: Manages HIPAA compliance program for University of Minnesota
Daniel Allen
Class of 2007
Contact: [email protected]
Work title: Legislative Program Assistant, Friends Committee on National Legislation
Job description: My area at FCNL is conventional weapons with a particular focus on cluster bombs. It’s a lobbying group so we do a mixture of public education, public advocacy and direct lobbying of legislators. FCNL is the coordinating organization of the U.S. Campaign to Ban Landmines.
Josh Jorgensen
Class of 2008
Contact: [email protected]
Work title: Constituent Liaison, New York City Council Member’s Office
Job description: I work in the office of Council Member Tony Avella (D-Queens). My job entails interacting with constituents, requesting city services for the council district, and representing the Council Member in the community.
Ahna Minge
Class of 2008
Contact: [email protected]
Work title: Problem Properties Unit Analyst
Job description: I help to run the regulatory arm of the City of Minneapolis that addresses boarded and vacant buildings. My daily activities include drafting legal orders, coordinating appeals processes, coordinating the unit’s contracting/procurement, preparing items for city council meetings, and tracking my division’s performance.
Carrie Norbin Killoran
Class of 1994
Contact: 414-271-6560, [email protected]
Work title: Attorney
Job description: Partner in health care practice at a large midwestern law firm
Graduate school: Harvard University – Law School and JFK School of Government
Degrees: MPP – 1996 and JD – 1999
Scholarships: Truman Scholar (MN 1993)
Sara Langhinrichs
Class of 2008
Contact: [email protected]; 651-235-0482
Work title: Research Assistant
Job description: Monitoring print, tv, radio, and internet media sources, and writing content for Mic Check, a daily radio prep service. Also finding audio clips and attending events to capture audio.
Brendan Duke
Class of 2008
Contact: [email protected]
Work title: Communications Associate
Job description: Families USA, a national non-profit in Washington, D.C. that advocates for high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans.
Christopher Mitchell
Class of 2001
Contact: [email protected], 651-247-6569
Work title: Director, Telecommunications as Commons Initiative
Job description: I research, publicize and advocate for publicly owned broadband networks (mostly fiber-optic and wireless). I’m the only person working on telecom policy in a nonprofit think tank in Minneapolis: http://www.newrules.org/info
Graduate school: Humphrey Institute, University of Minnesota
Degrees: Master of Public Policy
Ihotu Ali
Class of 2007
Contact: [email protected]
Work title: Community Research Coordinator
Job description: Like in most nonprofits, I do a little of everything: greeting clients, coordinating volunteer English tutors (and teaching my own class), writing grants, organizing fundraising events, conducting research, coordinating and attending meetings with other African/refugee nonprofits, health insurance billing, developing new community health and financial literacy programs… and of course learning bits of various East African languages.
Graduate school: University of Minnesota School of Public Health (pending)
Degrees: Masters in Public Health – Global Health concentration
Sarah Keiser
Class of 2002
Contact: [email protected]
Work title: Prevent Child Abuse North Dakota
Job description: Oversees the administration of a statewide network of various parenting programs; coordinates the work of the ND Alliance for Children’s Justice; training and technical assistance; advocacy; develops trainings, presentations and educational materials; website development and upkeep
Romina Laouri
Class of 2004
Contact: [email protected]
Work title: Global Integrator, Ashoka: Innovators for the Public
Job description: Romina works for Ashoka, an organization that strives to shape a global, entrepreneurial, competitive citizen sector: one that allows social entrepreneurs to thrive and enables the world’s citizens to think and act as changemakers in 2005. She works for Ashoka’s Youth Initiative (supporting young people to launch socially-oriented projects) primarily helping its expansion globally and working to create a global movement of young changemakers around the world.
Graduate school: University of Chicago
Natalia Mari Espejo
Class of 2007
Contact: [email protected]
Work title: Lobbyist/Research Assistant
Job description: I work at two Peruvian non-profit organizations. At one I help draft and translate grant proposals aimed at getting funding for the provision of legal assistance to victims of torture and/or agrarian workers who are affected by the mining industry. At the second I help develop educational materials for leaders of non-profits with the intended goal of increasing their productivity and efficiency.
Anthony Berglund
Class of 2007
Contact: [email protected]
Work title: Admission Possible Junior Coach
Job description: I work with 40 highly motivated, low-income students at Harding High School in St. Paul. I quadruple as a teacher, mentor, college consultant, and motivator. I average about 50 hours a week, but the work is genuinely meaningful and I absolutely love it.
Robin Rich
Class of 2003
Contact: [email protected]
Work title: Former Assistant Executive Director
Job description: League of Women Voters of Massachusetts
Graduate school: University of Pennsylvania, Nonprofit/NGO Leadership Program, Masters Degree
Clare Ryan
Class of 2008
Contact: [email protected]
Work title: Promise Fellow
Job description: AmeriCorp position working with a statewide network of youth intervention programs in Minnesota.
Alissabeth Ridenour
Class of 2007
Contact: [email protected]
Work title: Peace Corps Health Education Volunteer
Job description: I work with the local department of public health in Shkodra, Albania, to rethink the health educations curriculum. The goal is to make health education more engaging, and more relevant to Albanian’s needs. On the side I work with a girl’s empowerment group, and coach model UN.
Bonnie Driscoll
Class of 2007
Contact: [email protected]
Work title: High School Spanish Teacher
Job description: I teach High School Spanish in an urban public school in Memphis, Tennessee. I am employed through Teach for America.
Jess Hasken
Class of 2007
Contact: 704-258-1417 (cell)
Work title: Teach for America – Teacher
Job description: Jess teaches science and math to underprivileged 7th and 8th grade students in Charlotte, NC.
Rachel Brady
Class of 2007
Contact: [email protected]
Work title: Junior high school teacher
Job description: Rachel teaches 7-8th graders in math and science at a predominantly Latino/Latina junior high school in Chicago, IL. She is employed through Teach for America.
Christopher Wright
Class of 1999
Contact: [email protected]
Work title: Research Fellow, Center for Development and Environment, University of Oslo
Job description: I research, teach, consult and write about global environmental politics, with special emphasis on the role of the financial sector in promoting sustainable development in developing countries.
Graduate school: London School of Economics
Degrees: Ph. D., MSc, MIA