The four panelists stand close out the event with a photo with Margaret Groarke.
JOCELYN VISNOV/THE QUADRANGLE
By Jocelyn Visnov, Senior Writer
Four MC alums returned to campus last week to discuss their chosen careers in government and public service without pursuing a law degree.
Each of these alumni, all of whom studied either political science or international relations among other majors and minors at MC, spoke with current students and faculty about their career paths since graduating from the former School of Liberal Arts, now known as the Kakos School of Arts and Sciences.
The event was led by Margaret Groarke, Ph.D., professor of political science in the alumni room of the O’Malley Library. Each alum on the panel was asked to speak on their college and career experiences, followed by an open forum for questions from current students in attendance.
Amongst the alumni in attendance was Marshall Strawbridge ‘21. Strawbridge, who was a dual major in political science and philosophy, spoke on his experience continuing his career in the Bronx after graduating from MC.
“I think that the government is really like the Bronx, in terms of the possibility for broad impact,” Strawbridge said. “We’re the fastest-growing borough in the city. And that really, to me, makes it an incredibly opportune time and place to be building a career in public service. And I don’t take that lightly.”
Strawbridge currently works as the director of Small Business and Community Outreach for the Bronx Economic Development Corporation.
“A degree in political science and philosophy I think is really aimed at teaching students how to think and how to work through big problems,” Strawbridge said. “I think that translates well to a career in public service. I would also say as someone whose public service career so far has been within the Bronx, the connections and networking opportunities with folks who have led careers and made an impact here in the Bronx are really valuable.”
Panelists discussed opportunities in both the private and public sectors. Carley Brownell ‘20 was a double major in peace and justice studies and international studies. While at MC, she was a member of Women Inspiring Successful Enterprise (WISE) where she interned with the Fresh Air Fund. During the discussion, Brownell spoke about her current role working as a fundraising officer for 350.org, a nonprofit organization centered around climate justice.
“I thought I wanted to be a social worker, but I wanted to do a lot of different things,” Brownell said. “And then I learned more about how many jobs there are in nonprofits. And what I really like about my job is that I love working to defend climate change, it’s something I’ve been passionate about for as long as I can remember and it’s something really urgent. I love working for an international nonprofit. It’s really fun.”
Panelist Nicole Matias ‘17 graduated with a major in political science and dual minors in international and women and gender studies. After graduating from MC, Matias went on to receive a master of arts in international crime and justice from John Jay College (CUNY) and currently works as the director of policy for the NYC Business Integrity Commission.
Matias mentioned how she felt her education at MC prepared her for continuing on to receive her master’s degree.
“I think just getting a strong foundation in basic reading and communication skills that honestly a lot of people in ‘the real world’ do not have,” Matias said. “And I think liberal arts education prepares you for that.”
Also on the panel was Chris Shemanski ‘11, who was a double major in political science and economics at MC. Shemanski currently works as a higher education administrator at Stevens Institute of Technology while working towards a Ph.D. in Higher Education Management, Policy and Leadership.
“I think my ability to write, my ability to communicate and my understanding of self all came through here [at the college],” Shemansky said. “The classes of political science taught me qualitative skills, my classes for economics taught me quantitative skills and then everything outside the classroom complimented that with people skills.
Shemansky also noted the feelings of nostalgia that came with revisiting campus for that evening’s event.
“To me, college gave me the space to be curious, try new things, have an absolutely amazing time and really make some of my fondest memories,” Shemansky said. “I came here about an hour earlier just to walk around campus and just being on the quadrangle felt so nostalgic. It’s changed, but it hasn’t, so there’s a lot of good feelings in coming back to campus.”