Kait Brine '20 | Peace and Justice Studies major, Communication minor
My [Saint Anselm] education inspired my continued commitment to community involvement and social impact.
Kait Brine ’20 graduated with a Peace and Justice Studies major and Communication minor. After graduating, the Eastham, Mass. native completed a year of service with the Saint Joseph Worker Program in Los Angeles, California and worked as a case manager at Homeboy Industries, the world’s largest gang intervention, rehabilitation and reentry program. Today, Brine serves her community at WE CAN Corporation, a non-profit that supports Cape Cod women.
What made you choose Saint Anselm College?
Saint Anselm became home to me in 2008, when my oldest sister chose to attend. When it came time for me to choose, there was no place like the Hilltop. The people are what makes Saint Anselm as wonderful as it is. It will always be my home with the most wonderful community anyone could ever wish for.
Were you involved with any clubs and organizations on campus?
Beginning my sophomore year, I was treasurer of the Society of Saint Elizabeth Seton, which supported many events on campus, and coordinator at the Meelia Center for Community Engagement my senior year. I also articipated in Road for Hope, Anselmian B.R.E.A.K., and Good Grief Group through Campus Ministry, was a member and co-president of the Social Justice Club, danced in Dance Club, and created the Instagram page @hawksofthehilltop.
Since graduating in 2020, what have you done?
I completed a year of service through the Saint Joseph Worker Program in Los Angeles, where I served as a case manager at Homeboy Industries, the world’s largest gang intervention, rehabilitation and reentry program. That experience deeply shaped my career path, and I joined the Homeboy Industries team full time. I’ve since moved back to the east coast, but I continue to support Homeboy Industries part time.
Where are you today?
I work in development at WE CAN Corporation, a women’s empowerment organization that supports Cape Cod women through free legal, career, small business, and personal development services.
As an undergraduate student, did you have a favorite thing to do on campus?
My favorite thing to do was to sit in the pub in between classes and chat with friends, professors, and other visitors while enjoying a Buffalo Chicken Calzone. My favorite place to study was tucked away in a quiet cubicle on the "quiet floor" of Geisel Library.
How did you feel supported as Saint Anselm student?
Professor Carmen McClish, Professor Sara Smits Keeney, Father Mathias Durette, O.S.B., Susan Gabert, and too many more to count allowed me to discover how to truly embrace the intersection of faith and justice and how to bring them into my life and the world.
Did you have a favorite tradition at Saint Anselm College?
The annual Gingerbread Competition! Not only the night of gingerbread madness, but the tradition of waking up before the sun to secure your spot in line to participate. I was happy to have been a participant all four years I was a student.
How did being a Peace and Justice Studies major shape you?
I’m incredibly grateful for the foundation that Saint Anselm’s peace and justice curriculum provided. My education inspired my continued commitment to community involvement and social impact, including my current service on Cape Cod Young Professionals’ Civic & Community Engagement Committee.