Alumni Profiles
Anna Wiersma Strauss, 2013
Anna Wiersma Strauss (’13) moved to Paris, France after graduating from Valpo to get her Master of Arts in Public Policy and International Affairs from The American University of Paris. During that time she interned for the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in the Latin America and the Caribbean Division of their Global Relations Secretariat and was offered a job there upon her graduation. She stayed with the OECD for 6 years, finishing as a Policy Analyst working on various aspects of the OECD’s Regional Programme with Latin America and the Caribbean. Anna is currently pursuing a PhD in Public Administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University (began in August 2020). Her research focuses on the effects that social welfare policies have on poverty, inequality, decisions about labor supply and caregiving, and various aspects of well-being (financial, consumption, health, mobility, etc.). Upon completion of her doctorate, she plans to either pursue an academic career or return to research work for international organizations/think tanks focused on social policy issues. Anna and her husband Johann (who she met at Valpo when he was an exchange student there!) were married in a small civil ceremony during March 2020 – they are excited to finally fully celebrate their wedding this summer with family and friends now that international travel is more accessible again!
