Joshua Krueger ’25 M’26

Joshua Krueger ’25 M’26 | Politics Major | Master of Public Policy

After graduating with a degree in politics, Joshua chose to stay at Saint Anselm for graduate study to deepen his understanding of public policy and public service. Through coursework in health policy and a hands-on internship with U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen—Joshua gained a clearer perspective on how policy is shaped, implemented, and experienced both at the local and national levels.

How did you hear about the graduate program?

Well, I was a politics undergrad, so when Professor Jennifer Lucas and Professor Anne Holthoefer were making the program last year, I was still involved in the politics department. After hearing more about it and talking to Professor Lucas, I began to gravitate towards it. I found the subject matter to be interesting. I was looking at a few other programs at other schools, but when I found out that it was officially coming here, I thought it was a no-brainer to stay where I knew I was comfortable.

What has been your favorite graduate course thus far? Why?

I would say it was a health policy course that we took over the summer with Professor Beth Rickenbach in the Psychology Department. It was all online, but that class was spectacular and she was great. The course material really tied into my personal interests. That was the first class that I took in this program where I thought this is really what I want to get into, and this is really why I’m here. The class was super helpful professionally with where I work, and it was very helpful having that baseline knowledge that I don’t think I would have had, had I not taken that course.

Where do you hope this degree will take you next?

I interned for Senator Shaheen, and I really enjoyed my time in her office. I would hope that it does take me sort of in the direction of public policy, but more specifically, I think that the consulting or non-profit realm would be very fascinating for me. I find carrying out public policy to be very fascinating, on the legislative side. There are a few avenues you can take, and the MPP program is very flexible with different opportunities you can take. I’d say those are the main ones I’ve been hoping for.

What advice would you give to prospective graduate students?

This is going to sound kind of cliché, but it’s worth the discomfort of certain things. It was weird being here since I graduated last year and all my friends are gone. It’s a tough transition to a certain extent. However, this is most fulfilling for me. I loved being here, I loved everything about this place, but initially I was a little scared and concerned about returning. I’ve grown a lot personally and professionally and have connected with students I didn’t know well during my undergrad, and have built meaningful friendships. I’ve gotten a great education; the professors are very understanding. Overall, I would say that it’s okay to be uncomfortable with certain things because it gets better as time goes on.

How has this program affected the way you think about leadership and public service?

I would say a couple ways. The first thing is people tend to think of politics, policy or legislation as this far-off thing that people in Washington D.C. deal with. But there’s way more to it than just that. It is profoundly important to you and I and everybody’s lives. It takes place in every aspect of your life – your school boards, your local state senators and state reps – people who are so directly related to you that you probably wouldn’t even realize. There’s so much more to the organization aspect of it. I’d say that's the first thing. The second thing is similar, but it’s a bit different in this way. I think it’s important to recognize that you need to be engaged. A lot of people are disinterested or upset with how things are, and that’s totally understandable. But at the same time, it’s still important, regardless of all that, to stay engaged and stay involved – that can really lead to substantial changes. It starts at very low-level organizing, and that can go in a million different directions. I think it’s just important from every level, no matter how insignificant that you may think it is, it’s not. These things really do differ based on where you are and what you advocate for, and who you work for, and the decisions that you decide to make. Those are just a couple important things that I’ve definitely come to learn over the past year.