Kassie Anderson: A Big Heart and A Bright Vision

Kassie Anderson: A Big Heart and A Bright Vision

by Richard-Michael Manuel, UT-Arlington
Outstanding Student Leaders Digest (published by AIDemocracy.org)
January 17, 2006

Bringing students and community together takes a big heart and a bright vision: that’s Kassie Anderson for you. This dynamic Boston College senior is credited with coordinating one of AID’s biggest town hall meetings, yet. But her big ideas began when she was still a small girl, growing up in Stamford, Conn., a mid-sized city on the Atlantic coast.“My parents love to travel, and I traveled extensively as a child,” she said. When Hank and Cathy brought their daughter on a trip to Montreal, Canada, something sparked in her. The exposure to French helped Kassie develop a love for languages and—from there—international politics.Kassie progressed steadily through college, majoring in International Studies with a French minor. In 2004 she took the opportunity to study abroad in France. That’s where she first heard about AID. Its mission “resounded” with her from the start and taking part in the Berlin retreat opened her eyes to global issues.She had already been researching and learning about the international political economy under Professor David Deese, a noted specialist on the WTO, but this knew experience gave her studies even more significance.“I listened, I read, I observed what was around me,” she said. “It made me very conscious of what non-Americans think of global affairs and of the leadership role of the United States.”She took her experience back to campus and joined with “an amazing group of dedicated people” to create a successful chapter, which held AID’s largest town hall meeting, last year. It was a heated discussion about worldwide U.S.-Muslim relations, part of AID’s “Hope not Hate” initiative. About 150 students attended the event. Though grateful for the turnout, Kassie said that what’s important about the meeting was that it allowed informed discussion to take place—something communities need.“I think AID has become an alternative to the groups, which traditionally deal with international affairs,” she said. “AID offers a nonpartisan discussion that provides students the space to determine their own opinions on global issues.”Kassie was grateful for cosponsorship from the International Studies Department, the Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Student Association and the Muslim Student Association, among others.She said that this and other student-community discussions have transformed her campus for the better. She plans to continue raising awareness of global issues long after her May graduation. It’s vital to her“Always ask questions and be sure to listen to the response.”