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Human Services & Social Justice Program

Columbian College of Arts & Sciences

Alumni Outcomes

A group of HSSJ students pose in caps and gowns

Alumni of the Human Services and Social Justice Program work as administrators, teachers, grant writers and social workers. They have managed programs, founded nonprofits, advocated for patients and led philanthropic campaigns. 

Words from HSSJ Alums 

HSSJ Alumna McKenzie Connors in front of buildings

McKenzie Connors, BA '18

Product Sales Manager
Privia Health

"Majoring in HSSJ at GW allowed me to develop the skill set to thrive on the business side of health care while learning how we can enhance the human experience and make a positive impact on society."

 

Alumn Ryan Donovan at his job

Ryan Donovan, BA '20

Generalist
Putnam Clubhouse

"I am so grateful for my experience with HSSJ and how it has prepared me for working in a service role. I am a 'Generalist' at the Putnam Clubhouse in Concord, CA, serving people with severe autism and schizophrenia. I hope to pursue my master's and one day start my own 'Garden Therapy.'"

Caroline Malone in Amsterdam

Caroline Malone, BA '20

Development & Volunteer Coordinator
Horton's Kids DC

“The HSSJ program has given me the skills and knowledge that will set me up for success. Thanks to the internship I had I gained skills in nonprofit fundraising, which was a large part of why I was offered this job.”

 

Select Notable Alumni

  • Elizabeth Weinstein, BA '04, senior manager of external relations, Women Deliver
  • Andi Israel, BA '10, founder of affordable housing developer RxLA
  • Laura Wood, BA '13, assistant manager of institutional giving, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
  • Michael "Misha" Kessler, BA '13, prominent mental health advocate, creator of an app to support suicide prevention and founder of Remedient design firm
  • Emily Fields, BA '13, founder of PRISMS, a nonprofit that advocates for individuals with Smith-Magenis syndrome
  • Kayla Dawes, BA '14, special education teacher, NYC Department of Education
  • Tyler Daniels, BA '14, former spokesperson, Department of Justice
  • Peter Sacco, BA '15, advocate for low-income seniors and executive director for Advisory Neighborhood Commission’s 2A, 2B and 2E (covering several neighborhoods of Washington, D.C.’s Ward 2)

Recent Alumni Employers

Philanthropic Institutions and Nonprofits

The largest sector of employment for HSSJ alumni are nonprofits, which include organizations in the social services, education, arts, advocacy and research, health and housing. Overall, 56.7 percent of recent graduates have worked in this field since graduating from our program, with sample employers including:

  • The American Civil Liberties Union
  • American Heart Association
  • The American Kidney Fund
  • The American Red Cross
  • Autism Speaks
  • The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
  • Catholic Relief Services
  • The March of Dimes
  • The National Zoo
  • Network for Victim Recovery DC
  • Planned Parenthood
  • United Services Organization
Teaching and Education

The HSSJ Program has a consistent pipeline to the sector of education and educational services, and as of December 2018, some 20 percent go into this field. They work either directly in schools as teachers or in afterschool programming or educational support services at organizations such as:

  • AmeriCorps
  • City Year
  • District of Columbia Public Schools
  • East Harlem Scholar Academy
  • Fulbright Program
  • Harriet Tubman Elementary
  • KIPP DC Schools
  • LEARN Charter School Network, Chicago
  • Peace Corps
Health Care

Alumni hold positions including care coordinator, family advocate, medical assistant and behavior interventionist at a variety of health care groups including:

  • Avalere Health
  • The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
  • Children’s Services of Roxbury
  • Integrated Dermatology Group
  • Privia Health
Government

Alumni have held titles such as mass care crew leader, spokesperson, program analyst, social science research analyst and senior program specialist for local, state and federal government agencies including:

  • The City of Washington, D.C.
  • Environmental Protection Agency
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency 
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  • U.S. Department of Justice
Private Sector

Roughly 19 percent of HSSJ alumni are employed by a private company in positions such as patient advocate, risk management, community engagement, philanthropy  and engagement manager, legal secretary and learning and development coordinator. Recent employers include:

  • Edelman
  • Booz Allen Hamilton
  • XPO Logistics Inc.
Graduate Study

HSSJ alumni have pursued advanced degrees including Master’s in Public Health, Master’s in Public Administration, Master’s in Social Work, Master’s in Education and law degrees. Recent institutions our alumni have attended include:

  • University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • University of Chicago
  • New York University

Resources for Alumni

 

"The Human Services program has definitely influenced my career path. I learned how to work in a group setting, use my coursework to solve real-world problems and complete important tasks for the nonprofits and government agencies that I now work and volunteer with, including applying for grants, managing volunteers and marketing social programs."

Peter Sacco
BA '15
Executive Director, Advisory Neighborhood Commission’s 2A

Alumni Class Notes