2016 has been an exciting transition from pursuing my Bachelor’s Degree in History and Political Science to putting it to good use. Studying in New York City provided me with many convenient opportunities to explore government and politics. I chose courses based on what would help me as I reached out to my fellow residents and expanded my knowledge of G-d’s world. I studied American Politics, State and Local Government, and Topics in U.S. History: The Revolution in the Atlantic World. My professors would share fascinating stories of their government, advocacy, and electoral experiences as they presented their course material. The best and most resonant topics in all of my classes were those I had experienced while working in elected officials’ offices and on the campaign trail.

The courses I took on imperialism during the Spring 2014 semester taught me how important it is for a community to govern itself. Every community is different because of the climate, the natural environment, and the resources available to all residents. The same principle applies to every neighborhood in New York City. Every neighborhood has a different culture, with different infrastructure, industries, and income levels. I had incredible opportunities to work in all five boroughs of New York City during my vacations in college and learn of the impact of hyper-local government on its constituents. Community members love when their representatives listen to their concerns and give them an active response that will ultimately benefit the community at large. I then took this lesson and brought it back to campus, advocating for my classmates to enhance and maximize our undergraduate experience.

I started my career in New York politics in 2012 with a summer internship with my local Assemblymember, Philip Goldfeder. I began my studies at Lander College for Women that fall after enjoying my visit to a political science course the previous spring. I finished my undergraduate studies this past January and was offered a position on Jenifer Rajkumar’s New York State Assembly campaign to represent the residents of Lower Manhattan.

Jenifer’s candidacy is unlike any assignment I have done before. This is my first time working for a female candidate and spending every day with her on the campaign trail has been amazing. She knows her district geographically, demographically, and its residents biographically. The 65th Assembly District covers the Lower Manhattan neighborhoods of Battery Park City, Chinatown, the Financial District, and the Lower East Side and contains some of New York City’s most famous landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Wall Street, and the World Trade Center. I am fascinated by the history of this district and the people who live here. I have met longtime residents, newcomers, even a nice lady who implied that her first vote was for Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

The most important lesson of this campaign is community involvement. The 65th Assembly District is still transitioning from the loss of a strong representative in Albany and the interim legislator does not adequately fill the void. Jenifer’s greatest quality is her responsiveness to the community and she encourages our whole team to reach out to community members and find out about the issues that matter to them. I have not seen this level of community outreach in any other political campaign. Watching the team make these connections and develop their understanding of the district makes my job so enjoyable. I took the same approach with my fellow students, getting to know them, why they decided to come to Touro, their course of study, and their plans for the future.

The other notable event of this year was receiving the Ira Medjuck Memorial Award for Community Service and Personal Growth. I received a call in late April that I was going to be presented with an award. The first person I told was Jenifer Rajkumar. She had also received a community service award from the University of Pennsylvania, named for Alice Paul. When I learned of the significance of the Ira Medjuck Award, dedicated by the family of a medic who died due to the wrong blood transfusion after being injured in a car accident, I was in awe. I carry on the legacy of someone with a passion for improving the lives of others.

My study of history and political science is far from over. I continue to learn about topics I never anticipated studying in college. Everyone at Lander College for Women encouraged me to set goals and broaden my horizons. As campaign manager for Jenifer Rajkumar, I have the opportunity to apply not only my knowledge and skills, but bring in my youthful energy and passion for leaving a community better than I found it. I work with a diverse group of interns and fellows, all looking for their chance to make a positive difference in the lives of our fellow New Yorkers. My advice for anyone looking for goodness this year is to source it locally. Great things happen here at home and work their way up to the federal government. Never be afraid to voice your concerns because there is always someone who can and would love to help you make your area a great place for everyone to live, learn, work, and play.