Vols Making an Impact
In the fall, the department co-sponsored a homecoming visit of three UT alumni that are making a difference in the global fight against poverty, food insecurity, and disease. All three women are working with organizations committed to improving the lives of those living in developing countries around the world.
Maria Hinson Tobin (‘13) graduated with a BS in biological sciences. She went on to earn an MS in global health from Notre Dame and a PhD in public health from the University of Georgia. She is now the senior director of development and corporate partnerships for CARE, an international organization dedicated to ending poverty and achieving social justice. In particular, CARE assists women and girls in developing countries to overcome discrimination, food insecurity, and violence.
Amber Sheets (‘07, ‘10) earned her BA and MA in political science with a focus on comparative politics and international relations. She is now the senior technical advisor for digital health monitoring for Population Services International, an organization that tackles health challenges around the world. Amber lives and works in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Lindsay McClain (‘09) has a BS in peace studies and conflict resolution through the College Scholars Program. She completed an MA in peace studies and conflict resolution from Notre Dame. She is now the executive director of Generations for Peace USA, an organization that promotes tolerance, conflict resolution, and responsible citizenship.
All three alumni have close connections to the Department of Political Science, and the substantive policy issues that each works on right now are ones that political science faculty regularly cover in their classes. To celebrate homecoming, the three UT graduates were invited back to campus to meet with student groups, participate in panel discussions on global development, and attend classes to inform undergraduates about their individual career paths and the professional work they now do.
Special thanks go to Professor Will Jennings, a distinguished lecturer in the department, who worked with Jon Ring in the Howard Baker Center, to organize and coordinate the event.