Our political science graduates enjoy success in a wide range of political fields.
They include former congressmen, members of the state legislature and city councils, the head of the St. Lawrence Seaway project, dozens of lawyers, university professors, officials in the United Nations, former ambassadors, a vice-president for Columbia Records, actors, business executives, a U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education, a deputy director of the U.S. Treasury Department, and, most recently, an individual who headed up the program in Afghanistan to improve their legal and judicial systems.
Here are just a sample of three stand-out poli sci alumni in a variety of job fields. Find your own career and internship opportunities at the Center for Career and Professional Development.
Erin Clancy ’07
U.S. Foreign Affairs Officer
Having served diplomatic assignments abroad in Syria and Oman, Clancy is now Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of State in Washington, D.C. Last year, Erin also traveled to Nigeria as part of the U.S. delegation that took part in the second Regional Security Summit. Among Erin’s numerous awards, she has been named one of the 2015 Next Generation National Security Leaders by the Center for a New American Security.
“I’m grateful every day for the world-class liberal arts education I received at Whittier College. Whittier equipped me to succeed in diplomacy by training me to be a compassionate life-long learner able to understand the interdisciplinary connections between the sciences, history, and languages across the human experience. My Whittier education is the bedrock of my success.”
Brandon Valeriano ’99
Global politics expert and Reader at Cardiff University, Donald Bren Chair of Armed Conflict at Marine Corps University
With his in-depth knowledge of global politics and cyber security, Brandon has authored numerous articles and books on conflict and has made notable appearances on BBC Radio and MSNBC’s “Up with Chris Hayes.” He also lends his expertise as a reader at Cardiff University and as an advisor to the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Estonia.
After completing a double major in political science and history at Whittier, Brandon went on to obtain a Ph.D. at Vanderbilt University. His time at Whittier’s Franklin Society also taught him “that one is often capable of more than they ever think possible.”
"Whittier taught me to question everything. This has been the foundation of my career and serves an important function in society."
Jorge Quezada ’86
Vice president of diversity and inclusion at Granite
Jorge has a long history of ensuring diversity.
Before joining Granite (one of the nation's largest construction, transportation, infrastructure, and mineral exploration companies), Jorge was the senior director of diversity and inclusion and leadership development at Northwestern Mutual. At the financial security company, he was responsible for creating and executing diversity and inclusion strategies, leadership initiatives, and training programs. Before that, he was the chief diversity officer at Kraft Foods and the inclusivity and diversity Director at Allstate Insurance Company.
In his new role at the Granite, Jorge will be responsible for implementing strategies that will bring diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences to the forefront of all business operations.
