What can you do with a BA in Political Science? The Department of Political Science hosts an annual Career Colloquium in the fall that is open to political science majors, minors, and prospective majors. The Colloquium spans two days, featuring alumni who speak on their career decisions and experience. The event begins with an afternoon lecture, followed by a dinner with faculty and students. The CC continues the next morning with a workshop, concluding with an informal lunch.
Fall 2015 Colloquium Details
View from the trenches: An insider’s guide to the 2016 election and beyond
Joint Lecture by Jerid Kurtz ’05 and Brittany Williams ’05
November 6, 4:30pm
Tinkham Veale University Center, Senior Classroom
Every four years, Ohio hosts a collection of political pundits parachuting in to gauge the pulse of the “heart of it all” in the run-up to the presidential election. Amidst this circus, what’s the casual observer to make of the battles raging for control of state capitols, Congress, and even the White House? From super pacs to fuzzy electoral math, join two Case Western alumni working on the front lines as they cut through the noise of the 2016 election and beyond.
The lecture is open to the public and will be followed by an invitation-only reception.
Workshop for Majors and Minors
November 7, 11:00am
Tinkham Veale University Center, Second Floor Conference Room
(RSVPs requested)
A workshop on Career Development, open to all Political Science majors and minors. RSVPs for this workshop should be sent to Karen Beckwith, karen.beckwith@case.edu.
Information about our featured alumni:
Jerid Kurtz is a political professional and campaign manager specializing in strategic messaging, earned media and digital programs, and candidate research. Most recently, he managed the re-election campaign for New Jersey State Majority Whip Herb Conaway and Assemblyman Troy Singleton in one of the Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee’s “battleground” districts.
As the communications director for the Ohio Democratic Party, Jerid played an important role in Democrats’ historic victories re-electing President Barack Obama and Senator Sherrod Brown. He also worked for Governor Ted Strickland on his re-election in one of the closest races in the nation during the 2010 cycle.
In addition to his work on campaigns, Jerid also has experience in government, serving as an aide on Capitol Hill to Congressman Tim Ryan of Youngstown.
Jerid is an Ohio native and earned his BA in Political Science and English from Case Western Reserve University in 2005 and his JD from the Case Western Reserve University Law School in 2009. He is a past Board Member and Vice-President of NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio and enjoys backpacking, having thru-hiked the entire 2,172-mile Appalachian Trail.
Brittany Williams is the Senior Project Manager of the Cleveland 2016 Host Committee. In her role, she is responsible for assisting the apolitical organizing committee’s leadership with the implementation of strategic planning including the overall administration and operations of the Host Committee as well as supporting the day-to-day management of Committee initiatives.
Brittany is a life-long Clevelander with extensive ties to the community and a distinctive understanding of the political culture of Northeast Ohio. She served as the Executive Director of the Republican Party of Cuyahoga County and is a former elected member of the Ohio Republican Party’s State Central Committee, the governing body of the state political party.
Outside of politics, Brittany served as an Economic Development Officer for the Ohio Treasurer of State and she also consulted for Fundación CODESPA in the Dominican Republic.
Brittany earned her BA in Political Science, International Studies, and Spanish at Case Western Reserve University in 2005 and her Masters degree in International Relations and International Economics at The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. She is a Board Member of the Cleveland Area Golden Gloves amateur boxing association.