Alumna Spotlight: Alexandra Porges ('19, Political Science)
Alexandra Porges (’19, political science) did not plan on having a career in politics. Initially, Porges set out on her college journey as an art history major. Then, the 2016 elections happened, and it changed the course of her life.
"I got very curious and wanted to explore and learn about different American government institutions. I decided to switch majors to political science, and I never looked back," said Porges.
The world of politics opened Porges up to new experiences and opportunities. It was a public law course with Political Science Professor David Speak where she discovered her love for the law. She continues to explore law through other courses, extra-curricular activities, and outside of CPP.
During her time at Cal Poly Pomona, she was a delegate on the Model United Nations team and a member of the Mexican American Student Association, Political Science Club, and the National Society of Leadership and Success. She also co-founded Phi Delta Phi, an international legal honors society where she served as treasurer, and served as the secretary of external student affairs for ASI. Her involvement on campus, aside from her studies, proved to be all-encompassing.
Porges' role with ASI allowed her to connect with individuals outside of the university. Each month, she traveled across the state to represent Cal Poly Pomona at the California State Student Associate (CSSA) meetings s and connect with other CSU student leaders. She then went on to travel to Washington, D.C., for the first time in March 2019 with President Coley.
"I met with congressional members, and we talked about Cal Poly Pomona as well as our federal and legislative priorities. From then on, D.C. captivated me," said Porges.
With the guidance of the political science department chair Jill Hargis, Porges spent her senior year interning at the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office with the deputy district attorney for the Major Crimes Unit. The preliminary hearings, arraignments, and opportunity to watch the prosecutors in the courtroom fascinated her even more.
She knew she needed to investigate this avenue further and set out to apply for an internship with Congressman Adam Schiff of California's 28th Congressional District. Her internship would be during a critical moment of the current presidency - the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. Schiff was the lead prosecutor during the impeachment trial, and Porges was able to experience the intensity first-hand.
In her role as a legislative intern, Porges was given the opportunity to sit in on hearings and briefings. “With the congressman, there were different hearings all the time; whether that be on environmental sustainability or nuclear weapons or anything that’s going on in the country,” said Porges. Her responsibilities included managing the congressman’s daily media reports, answering constituent inquiries, and giving tours throughout the Capitol and the Rayburn House Office Building.
"It was surreal to be working in an office where people would come in from all over the world,” Porges said. “Being in this environment, particularly during a tumultuous time, was incredibly transformative, and from it, I learned how important the truth is."
After finishing up her Washington, D.C. internship with the congressman, remotely due to COVID-19, Porges looks forward to attending Loyola Law School in Los Angeles this fall. “Since deciding I wanted to pursue law school, Loyola has been a top choice of mine. After speaking with many Loyola alumni, such as my former Cal Poly Pomona professor, David Towbin, committing to Loyola became a very easy decision,” said Porges.
Porges credits the support of her department for helping her reach those goals.
"I have just received so much support from the political science department, especially with Dr. Hargis and President Coley,” she said. “I can say definitively that I would not be here without them."