From Beaver Falls to the Middle East, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Washington D.C., Allison Perry ’08 has used her passion and education to serve globally.
Perry is an international development professional with years of experience in refugee and forced migration issues, refugee resettlement, responding to the needs of displaced persons, and designing programs for international humanitarian assistance.
Perry graduated from Geneva with her BA in political science, and then went on to earn her MA in international development from American University.
Her first visit to Geneva was sparked by a recommendation from a high school chemistry teacher. From there, she fell in love with the campus, specifically the size and community-centered feel.
“With the smaller class sizes and campus, I felt like I could really get to know the people, professors, and really be able to explore and get to know the campus.”
Dr. Jay Neikirk, professor of political science and chair of the Department of History, Political Science, and Sociology, a name that is familiar to almost all Geneva alumni, was a pivotal influence in Perry’s college education and experience.
“He pushed me in ways I had never been pushed before, it was such a mind-opening experience. He challenged some of my views and made me put forth the best that I possibly could. I am where I am today because of how he challenged me when I was at Geneva.”
The Middle Eastern study abroad program was also extremely formative for Perry as a student.
“This program was a very personally positive and challenging experience. Studying abroad exposed me to people and ideas I never had been before.”
The political science classes, core classes, and study abroad experience all pushed Perry to think about her beliefs, career aspirations, and worldview. One of the most important things she gleaned from her time at Geneva was the shift in how she personally engages with politics. It is no secret that political engagement can be a divisive and challenging activity.
“I love the fact that every student at Geneva has to take Political Science 352 (Great Issues in Politics). In the class we think about politics in a way that shows it is a part of everyday life and affects you, so we have a responsibility to know what is going on and engage with it. I think it forced me to change the way I personally engage with politics. It was a lot less about the class and what I know, and more about how I live and engage with my community. Even now, in an election year, I see friends who have questions or who are disengaged. But because of my experience at Geneva, I can see how to engage and still be present in the political sphere, even when it is challenging.”
Geneva’s mission is to equip students for faithful and fruitful service to God and neighbor. Key to this is teaching students how to engage with the world. One of our six core values is to engage culture faithfully. Our core classes aim to do just that. Whether it is the sciences, art, history, or political science, how can students walk faithfully in the marketplace and throughout their life’s work?
The principles Perry learned at Geneva are now incorporated into her daily work. Perry spent years working for a refugee resettlement organization in which she took an active role across the community integration process. After gaining her master’s degree, she worked in Ethiopia designing new programs for humanitarian assistance. Perry is back in the states, but still does a lot of the same work. Currently, her primary job is to submit proposals and develop new programs that provide conflict and disaster humanitarian aid to affected countries around the globe.
“I loved my time at Geneva. Almost everything at Geneva still impacts me today. The experiences in my classes, on campus, in the humanities coursework, and my senior seminar all provided a transformative experience.”
Perry exhibits how to serve your neighbor faithfully as she brings hospitality and care to those in need around the world.
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