Jenifer Wallistch ’21

Jenifer Wallistch ’21 | Politics and Criminal Justice major | Emergency Preparedness Coordinator at Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC)

What made you choose Saint Anselm College? 

I cannot remember a time in my life that I did not want to study politics. I have been intrigued by presidential power, foreign affairs, and civic engagement since I was in middle school. When the time came to look for colleges, I knew I wanted to attend a school that had a well-known and reputable politics department. When I learned more about all Saint Anselm College had to offer through the New Hampshire Institute of Politics I knew it was the place for me. 

However, I never thought about studying Criminal Justice until I had the opportunity to take an Introduction to Criminal Justice class that I had been told paired really well with politics classes I would take later in my academic career. As soon as I took that first CJ class I felt warmly welcomed by the department and knew that this would complement my political interests well. 

What was your favorite course that you took? 

Selecting my favorite course is incredibly difficult. I had the opportunity to create my own class through an Independent Study with Professor Cordella, the chair of the Criminal Justice Department, that I titled Crime, Culture, and Control. I would meet with him one on one weekly to discuss my research surrounding the impacts of socialization on deviance and conformity in Japan, Brazil, and the United States. 

What has your career path looked like since graduation? 

Fall of my senior year I began the process of applying to Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, Germany. The school’s International Organizations and Crisis Management Master's program was exactly what I was looking for a variety of reasons. My experience studying abroad in Orvieto made me confident in my abilities to live and learn in Europe, which felt like the ideal place to study international organizations and crisis management. However, with the programs acceptance notifications not made available until July, the acceptance rate under 15%, and the ongoing COVID pandemic I applied and kept the idea of moving to Germany in the back of my mind. 

I ended up connecting with a lovely alum towards the end of my senior year who recommended me for a role in Crisis Management. I started that role after graduating and really enjoyed working in this area. I was even more confident that I wanted to work in crisis management and understood the importance of continuing my education to advance in the field. Hence why when I was notified of my acceptance to Friedrich Schiller University, I knew I had a big decision to make. Ultimately, I did decide to leave my job and move to Germany in October. I am immensely thankful for the alum who connected me to my previous role and for all my confidants at Saint Anselm College who were willing to listen to my aspirations and offer advice. 

I know that without my experiences at the New Hampshire of Politics and the Saint Anselm College Study Abroad Office my current experience would not be possible. Saint Anselm College gave me the tools and resources to become a confident, equipped leader through a variety of opportunities ranging from my work in admissions, interning for ABC News, Chairing the Kevin B. Harrington student ambassador program and through the orientation program. 

I am currently working as an Emergency Preparedness Coordinator at Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC).