Amani Clemons ‘24 | Politics major, Campaign Management minor
I can go up to the highest ranked person in the room and shake their hand and not be afraid. When you put on your fancy suit and attend a New Hampshire Institute of Politics (NHIOP) event, you feel like you belong there.
Taking initiative, Amani Clemons ’24 works to empower more students to become politically engaged.
What made you choose Saint Anselm College?
The number one reason was financial aid. I knew that couldn’t go wrong coming here because they have one of the best political science programs. As a freshman, I wanted to join the Kevin B. Harrington Student Ambassador Program and take advantage of the many opportunities as a Politics major.
What made you want to be a part of the Ambassador Program?
A girl at my high school told me her parents went to Saint Anselm and that it had a great politics program. I researched the school and saw online they were preparing for the 2020 presidential debate. As I watched the debate live on CNN from my childhood bedroom and that’s when it hit me: I am watching the debates at a school who’s program I love.
Any advice to give to students who want to be an ambassador?
Be yourself. It is very easy to try to want to mold your answers and personality, but you should not lose yourself and who you are. Also don’t be afraid as to what other people think about you. Being self-confident will be the difference between asking a politician for their business card and getting a job versus sitting quietly. It is not as scary as it sounds.
Being an ambassador has been a true highlight, and I am so grateful. I also recommend that anyone that has the slightest interest in politics should apply for the program because they won’t regret it!
What was your favorite NHIOP event?
My favorite event is Politics and Eggs because of the opportunity it has with national conversation. One time, I saw Dana Bash from CNN, and I was so excited that I was in the same room as her, working the same event. It was cool because I grew up watching her on CNN. I also loved the debates. I worked the New Hampshire 1st Congressional District debates with WMUR-TV. It was one of the most exciting things I’ve done.
How do you believe the program will impact your future career?
My ultimate career goal is to work in the Office of Communications or Office of Digital Strategy in the White House. The opportunities I have gained from NHIOP and the Ambassador Program will help me significantly. The alums, politicians, journalists, and business contacts, who I’ve connected with have helped me already. I would not have gotten those contacts without the program.
You attended the Stavros Niarchos Foundation’s Ithaca National Student Dialogue; how did that conference impact you?
It was an excellent experience! It was a three-day long conference, that started with a reception at the Biden Institute. The workshop directed us to identify an issue on our campus. Many people on the Saint Anselm campus are engrained to not like politics and have a negative notion. We hope to find ways to combat this idea. We were able to identify solutions and stakeholders. It was great meeting students from all different colleges. I realized this was the stuff I wanted to do the rest of my life.
Using the tools I learned, I hope we attract more diverse applicants for the program and get more students involved in NHIOP. I want to show it can be a resource for them and it’s not intimidating. It is a space for everyone and should be for everyone.