CBO SCHOLAR SPOTLIGHT:
Monica Harasim, Class of 2012
Four years ago, Monica Harasim was a Deerfield High School student who worried that college would be out of reach. Today she is a Political Science and English major who works for a former U.S. Vice President, has written speeches for a member of the Scottish Parliament, and edits the research journal at one of our nation’s top universities.
A senior at Vanderbilt University, Monica is contemplating law school, business school or both. She dreams of formulating public policy at a think tank or in government, but first hopes for a fellowship in business. And while she has always been motivated, it was CBO that helped her believe her goals were attainable. After the death of her father, Monica’s family struggled emotionally and financially. CBO and Monica’s coach, Susan Mahon, stepped in with financial assistance and encouraged her to explore intellectual opportunities.
Monica was initially hesitant to travel far from home, enrolling as a freshman at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, where she served as Vice President of the Model United Nations. As her confidence grew, Monica transferred to Vanderbilt University. She took on a leadership position as Panhellenic Director of Administration, responsible for the campus-wide sorority budget, while also volunteering as an elementary school tutor.
Expanding her horizons further, Monica spent a month in Egypt studying its culture and religion. Soon the young woman who had been reluctant to leave Illinois embarked on a semester abroad at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Not content to experience only classroom learning, Monica worked for a member of Parliament, writing speeches and helping develop health care and environmental legislation.
She continued to pursue her interest in politics back in Nashville where she was chosen last summer to intern for the Honorable Al Gore. Monica was one of few interns selected to continue as a paid staffer, responding to hundreds of letters, invitations, and other correspondences addressed to the former Vice President. On campus, she is Editor-at-Large of Vanderbilt Undergraduate Research Journal.
Monica is a passionate learner who says she is inspired by seeing how successful public figures engage with people. She is a student who truly enjoys learning from others’ journeys and challenges. Monica credits her experiences as a CBO scholar with teaching her to think for herself, take risks, and have hope.
