Shannon Rupp
Seminar: Women & Congress; Women, Law & Public Policy (2005)
Occupation: Contract Program Analyst and Coordinator
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration/FBS, Inc.
Education: MPP, Public Policy-International Relations and American Politics, Pepperdine University
BA, French and History, Political Science, Wesleyan College (A PLEN Member School)
Rupp’s PLEN Experience
Shannon Rupp had already started applying to law schools when she attended her first PLEN seminar, Women & Congress in 2005. It was not until after her second PLEN seminar that she realized a law degree was not for her.
“They were both awesome experiences for me,” said Rupp. “It was actually after the [Women, Law & Public Policy] seminar and getting to meet the women who went to get their policy degree, that helped me decide to go get my master’s in public policy instead.”
In addition to helping Rupp recognize what advanced level degree she should pursue, the Alaska native felt PLEN enhanced her experience at a women’s college, Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia. Rupp also learned many valuable skills while attending PLEN seminars that she currently uses as a contractor for a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “[PLEN] boosted my confidence in dealing with people at my current job because it’s very male-dominated,” said Rupp. “It can be very nerve wracking to have to talk to people about policy decisions and program decisions, but after my PLEN experience I don’t have a problem jumping right in and contributing to the discussion.”
While looking for internships during her graduate career, PLEN speakers and alumnae in Washington served as resources for Rupp by helping her land informational interviews. Rupp has interned at the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies in Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia and in Pepperdine University’s Office of International Student Services.
“[PLEN is] definitely one of the best experiences that I had in undergrad,” said Rupp. “I would always tell anyone who can go, that they should.”
By Kristina Hamilton
