Emily Christiansen

Emily Christiansen, a recent graduate of St. Ambrose University, double majored in Political Science and Spanish with a double minor in International Studies and Sociology.  She was named outstanding Political Science Student of the Year at her University in 2008, and maintained a 4.0 GPA while completing her degree in 3 years.  Emily is a passionate advocate for the rights of the underprivileged and underrepresented.  During her undergraduate education, Emily was actively involved in BeeGlobal, a group whose mission is to raise awareness of diversity at St. Ambrose as well as within the Quad Cities community, contributing to planning of the 2007 Diversity Festivel.  Emily also spent many hours volunteering with a local non-profit law firm that specializes in helping low-income latino residents in Minnesota.  Emily will be attending the University of St. Thomas in the fall to pursue her Juris Doctorate, and plans to use her law degree to help promote social justice.

Emily attended the 2008 Iowa N.E.W. Leadership program in Iowa City.  She was motivated by both the speakers and the other women in the program.  "Seeing a group of young women come together and work toward mutual understanding while maintaining their individuality was amazing.  I wouldn't trade my experience with Iowa N.E.W. Leadership for anything.  Outside of making connections and friends, I grew as a person, and developed the skills and the desire to be actively involved in politics.  The whole experience was increadibly rewarding."