What made you choose UNH?
I chose UNH because of its affordability. Affordability was a crucial deciding factor when I was picking schools because I come from a low-income background. I’ve been a part of TRIO programs since the sixth grade and seeing that I could continue being in these programs in college made it even more attractive to me.
Did you come in as undeclared or change to undeclared at any point? How did you decide on your major(s)?
I came into UNH as a political science major. I didn’t think I was going to stick with it for all four years. I had chosen political science originally because I thought I wouldn’t be good at math or science in college since I wasn’t, or at least I’ve told myself that, in high school. Back in my hometown, my friends and I are politically active, and we went to a lot of presidential candidate visits in high school – so I had some interest in politics, but I had no idea where I’d go with it. After taking other classes in COLA, and seeing how they all connected with political science, I wanted to stay.
If you had to explain to someone in one or two sentences why you love your major/major department, what would you say? (if you have more than one major, please explain for both)
I love my major because it’s interdisciplinary with so many other majors in COLA. The content I’ve learned in political science has helped me bring different perspectives and has helped me make connections in my classes outside my major.
Who has been your most impactful professor and why?
I like to credit my passion for intersections between political science, sociology, and comms to three professors: Professors Tama Andrews, Catherine Moran, and Nora Draper. All of these professors were very welcoming, and I never felt afraid to go to their office hours to get their insight or to help me better understand the class materials. They’re all clearly experts in their respective areas. Because of their classes, I’ve gotten a better understanding of how political science encapsulates so many things. I took Stats with Professor Moran, Critical Studies of Dis/misinformation with Professor Draper, and Public Policy with Professor Andrews, and they have all helped me gain a better understanding of how American politics is applied in our everyday lives and how emerging threats or demographics are shaping what goes on in Congress.
What has been your favorite experience at UNH so far? Please describe why.
I’m originally from Dover, NH – born and raised. I grew up with a strong Indonesian community, but I never appreciated it as much as I should have. Now, I like to say I’ve found myself again and embraced my culture and identities through the student organizations here at UNH. My favorite experience at UNH has been the fact that I’ve been able to be more confident with my identities because of organizations like the ones under the Diversity Support Coalition, the Indonesian Students Associations and CONNECT. All of these programs and orgs have helped to connect (no pun intended) with other students on campus who share similar lived experiences – I’ve been able to find other people who relate to me, beyond my interests. I’ve met more first-generation students, more people from low-income backgrounds, and most importantly, more people of color. And it was all because of the spaces curated by staff, faculty, and students of these backgrounds.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned at UNH so far? Please explain.
The most important lesson I’ve learned while at UNH has been the importance of curating and maintaining communities. When I started college, I was worried that I’d have to endure more years of acting White to fit in. Fortunately, I’ve been able to find a tight-knit BIPOC community on campus that has made my college experience like none other, and I’ve become more connected with my identities. The communities that I’ve found and helped to curate for future students have helped me become more willing to share my culture and be a better advocate for people like me. It’s impossible to ignore the racial and cultural makeup here on campus, it’s very much homogenous. Spaces like The Beauregard Center or the Diversity Support Coalition are so important to foster safe spaces for marginalized communities on campus.
Have you participated in experiential learning such as internships, study abroad, independent research, etc.? If so, which ones and what value did you find in those experiences? (please list all but you can elaborate on just your favorite/most valuable one or two)
Fall ’22: Press Intern in the Office of Senator Maggie Hassan: In the fall of 2022, I did The Washington Center where I had the opportunity to be a press intern for Senator Maggie Hassan. When applying for jobs in the summer, before I left for D.C., an internship on the Hill never crossed my mind. It wasn’t until Paula DiNardo had forwarded me and the other UNH students going that fall, the internship listing for Senator Hassan’s office, and that’s when I found out press internships in Capitol Hill were a thing! I thought I’d take my shot to apply since I had some interest going into political communications after taking some communication classes here and being exposed to all the overlaps it has with political science. While working closely with Senator Hassan’s press team, I helped draft press releases, Tweets, and Congressional Records. I also monitored the Senator’s daily mentions in local, state, and national news outlets, sending them to the D.C. staff, NH staff, and the Senator herself. To this day, I’m so proud of myself for applying and taking internship because this exposed me to a whole new world of opportunities, knowledge, and people. It was the catalyst in getting me to look for summer 2023 internships within political communications. Summer ’23:
Press Intern in the Office of Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi; Congressional Intern for the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS): This past summer, after being inspired by my previous internship, I accepted another press internship on the Hill, but this time on the House in the office of Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi! I would not have been able to intern with such a high office without the help of the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS). The APAICS Congressional Internship is a competitive, national program that seeks to expose Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) undergraduates to the public service. After being accepted into the program, my resume was sent to multiple Congressional offices that APAICS has previously worked with – and Speaker Emerita’s office picked up mine! Although the program was only eight weeks, I don’t think I’ve ever had to network so hard in my life! It was a busy eight weeks where I relearned my way around the Capitol, met a lot of people who share similar lived experiences, was even more exposed to the world of press/communications, and it solidified my passion for the public service – especially within political communications.
Have you received scholarships or funding from COLA or UNH that has made a big difference for you; for example, enabled you to do something you wouldn’t have been able to do? Could you explain in one or two sentences that impact?
COLA Award in the fall ’22: The award was granted to COLA students doing The Washington Center. With this award, I used it to help with transportation and grocery costs while living in Washington, D.C. Although I had the privilege to get a paid internship, the COLA Award provided me with some cushion room and let me be more fiscally secure when living in a new city!
Are you involved in any groups, clubs, or organizations? If so, which ones? TRIO Scholar, CONNECT Mentor/past Mentee, The Beauregard Center, Diversity Support Coalition – I’m currently the Executive Director - And all its 7 orgs (United Asian Coalition, Black Student Union, Alliance, Hillel, Middle Eastern Cultural Association, MOSAICO, and the Native American Cultural Association), Indonesian Students Association – Currently one of the co-chairs - Vietnamese Students Association, MUBOG – the DSC Governor, and Global Leadership Exchange.
Have you won any awards while at UNH? Please explain.
No.
Is there anything particularly awesome about being in the College of Liberal Arts?
Learning about different identities – learning more about my own identities through classes in Sociology and Women’s and Gender Studies; The classes I’ve taken in Sociology and Women’s and Gender have taught me more about my identity of being an Asian American woman and have really helped me unlearn/realize all the gaslighting I’ve put myself through and others have.
In what ways do you think (or hope) your liberal arts education has prepared you for career and professional success?
My liberal arts education has allowed me to learn more about myself, helping me home in on the specific career paths – with the wide range classes COLA offers, I’ve learned one thing about myself: I’m a generalist. For a long time, I thought it was weird that I was super passionate about one specific thing – this was one of the reasons why I thought I wouldn’t be able to work in places like Capitol Hill, I thought I’d have to be stuck in policy/legislative work, sticking to limited portfolios. After my internships and the classes, I’ve taken within COLA, I’ve learned to be OKAY with the fact that I’m passionate about multiple things, making political communications a perfect field for me. The wide range has allowed me to gain interest on so many different issues and policy areas, it’s made me realize I’m more of a generalist than a specialist — with the help of my internships in comms, and my comms classes, I’ve opened my eyes to possible career paths that allow me to be a generalist
What are your plans for after graduation?
I currently seeing myself going two ways – moving to D.C. and starting a political communications career there (with a non-profit or as a comms staffer) OR hopping onto a campaign to start a career in organizing; something I’ve always wanted to try out.
What is one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?
In the fourth grade, I was selected to be a mascot for my elementary school. My name was ‘Here and Ready Hannah,’ and I was a pencil – I didn’t have to wear a pencil costume, though. There were at least five other students who were also mascots with me. It ranged from life rafts, a clock, a book, a pair of scissors, etc. It was a good stint.
