170. Jessica (McBee) Kerrigan, CASA Staff and Volunteer
The 92 Report
Show Notes: Jessica Kerrigan (formerly Jessica McBee) shares that she applied for an internship with the American Symphony Orchestra League but didn't get it, leading her to work with the Greater Boston Youth Symphony. She moved to Iowa City to be with her boyfriend, Wade Kerrigan, who was in law school, and worked at American College Testing. Jessica got engaged, married, and moved to Kansas City, where she worked for Andrews McNeil Publishing as a contract administrator. From Publishing to Nonprofit Work Jessica describes her transition from publishing to nonprofit work. She took some time...
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169. Ian F. McNeely, Historian of Knowledge and Dean
The 92 Report
Show Notes: Ian McNeely talks about his academic path, including a PhD in History from the University of Michigan and a position in the Society of Fellows at Harvard. He met his wife at Harvard, and they both found work at the University of Oregon where they became professors. They raised a family and lived there for 24 years. In 2024, Ian moved to UNC Chapel Hill, where he continues as a professor of history and oversees undergraduate education. The Society of Fellows When asked about the Society of Fellows, Ian explains that he thought of it as a mystique during his undergraduate...
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168. Peter Schmidt, From Math to Neuroscience
The 92 Report
Show Notes: Peter Schmidt talks about his senior year during the Iraq War, and how the news on the problem of jobless recovery led him to consider graduate school. The Journey from Student to Dean Peter studied biomechanics at Cornell, focusing on the mathematics of biological systems and modeling clinical trials in orthopedics. He was admitted into a fellowship program in New York at an orthopedic hospital where he worked on total joint replacement. His career path led him to neuroscience, where he led clinical research and worked for a nonprofit before becoming the...
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167. Lauren Messmore, From Banks to Boards
The 92 Report
Show Notes: From Hiking to River Cruises Lauren Messmore opens the conversation by sharing her experience of hiking Hadrian's Wall in England with her husband, which she describes as a highlight of her international travels. She explains that her husband, an anglophile, had the idea and that she enjoyed the travel and training for the hike, and that she had also lived in England for a few years in the ‘90s. Lauren details her training routine, including walking six to seven miles two to three times a week and using hiking sticks. They used a service called Mac Adventure for the hike,...
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166. Miguel Sancho, Executive Producer, Showrunner, & Author
The 92 Report
Show Notes: Miguel Sancho shares his background, mentioning his small-town roots in eastern Kansas and his education at Harvard and Phillips Andover Academy where he studied government and history. He discusses his initial plan to pursue a PhD and become an academic but instead moved to New York City to try his hand at music. Miguel transitioned from music to journalism, starting in 1993, and worked in various roles, including as an investigative journalist for Inside Edition, and 20/20 a prime time show on ABC News, and CBS News. Launching a Production Company Miguel talks about his...
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165. Bridget A. Lyons, Author, Adventurer, and Artist
The 92 Report
Show Notes: In this conversation, Bridget Lyons describes her experience with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), which led her to a three-month course in Alaska. She shares her initial struggle with the urban environment of Cambridge after her wilderness experience. Bridget discusses her involvement with the Harvard Outing Club and her decision to teach in Marin County, California. From Teaching to the Tetons Bridget explains her transition from teaching to working full-time with NOLS, teaching various outdoor activities. She describes her lifestyle during this period,...
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164. John Milbauer, Pianist and Conservatory Leader
The 92 Report
Show Notes: John Milbauer explains that, although he didn't graduate from Harvard, his education and career followed a unique path involving music and academia. John reflects that his focus has been a combination of music and ideas, but the structure of academia often separates the two. He mentions his role as Dean of the School of Music at DePaul University in Chicago where they are bringing the two together to provide musicians with a more holistic approach to creative development and expression. Choosing a Career Path At 17 John was accepted into both Harvard Summer School and Aspen Music...
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163. Elisabeth (Weinberg) Tavarez, From Finance to Higher Ed to Politics
The 92 Report
Show Notes: Elisabeth Tavares (Weinberg) describes her journey post-graduation, dividing it into three main chapters: private sector, higher education, and government sector. Travelling to Egypt, Israel, and Spain Elisabeth shares her initial post-graduation plans, including travel to Egypt and Israel, and her work with American teenagers abroad in Ireland and Spain. She discusses her passion for international travel and her decision to learn Spanish at Harvard, which later led to teaching Spanish. Elisabeth explains her motivation for learning Spanish, including her background in European...
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162. Liam T.A. Ford, From Journalist to Non-profit Startup Leader
The 92 Report
Show Notes: Liam T.A. Ford, also known as LTAF, shares his initial career plans after graduation. After writing for the Crimson at Harvard, he initially considered a career in academia, but pivoted to journalism. He discusses his first job at the Montgomery Advertiser, where he covered crime and interviewed notable figures including the man who headed the pulpit committee that hired Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for his pastorship in Montgomery. Liam recounts his transition to Chicago, where he became a reporter for the Chicago Tribune, covering notable events like Barack Obama's election to the...
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161. Elijah Siegler, Religious Studies Outside the Classroom
The 92 Report
Show Notes: Elijah Siegler recalls the day of graduation on June 5, 1992, and the prominent promotion of the movie Patriot Games, which seemed at the time an ominous omen, as graduates began to navigate their post-grad journey. Elijah shares his advice to his kids and students: "You don't need to have your whole life post-college figured out. You just need one cool thing lined up, and that'll lead to another cool thing." Elijah describes his first post-graduation job as the editor of the Greece and Turkey book for Let's Go travel guides, which he found out about due to a last-minute...
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Jessica Kerrigan (formerly Jessica McBee) shares that she applied for an internship with the American Symphony Orchestra League but didn't get it, leading her to work with the Greater Boston Youth Symphony. She moved to Iowa City to be with her boyfriend, Wade Kerrigan, who was in law school, and worked at American College Testing. Jessica got engaged, married, and moved to Kansas City, where she worked for Andrews McNeil Publishing as a contract administrator.
From Publishing to Nonprofit Work
Jessica describes her transition from publishing to nonprofit work. She took some time off to stay at home with her daughters when they were young. She started doing social media posts for her knitting club and a fellow knitter like her posts and asked her to do part-time social media marketing for Jackson County CASA. She now works in the fundraising department. Jessica explains the role of Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) in representing children in foster care and advocating for their best interests. Jessica details the funding sources for CASA, including grant funding, state and county funding, and individual and corporate donations.
The Role of CASA Volunteers
Jessica elaborates on the role of CASA volunteers, who visit children in foster care regularly and report back to attorneys. She contrasts the resources of CASA with those of the state's children's divisions, highlighting the consistency and depth of CASA's advocacy. Jessica discusses the potential differences in recommendations between the state, the child's attorney, and the CASA advocate. She shares success stories of CASA's impact, including a young woman who graduated through an online program and a child who reunified with a parent and later got adopted by a grandmother.
Recruiting Volunteers
Jessica talks about the challenges of recruiting volunteers and the effectiveness of community outreach and storytelling in attracting them. She highlights the diverse profiles of CASA volunteers, including retirees, young people, active moms, former professionals, and attorneys. Jessica explains the support system for volunteers, including advocate supervisors who help with practical needs. She reflects on the increased need for volunteers as CASA takes on more cases and the importance of having volunteers to support the attorneys.
At Home in Kansas
Jessica shares how her understanding of the world has changed through her work with CASA, particularly in understanding the root causes of child abuse and neglect. She describes her experience as a stay-at-home mom and the various volunteer roles she took on, including teaching knitting classes. Jessica recounts a story from her time at a knitting store, emphasizing the joy of teaching and problem-solving for customers. She discusses her love for Kansas City, including its central location, sports teams, and local barbecue spots.
Personal Development and Family Responsibilities
Jessica talks about her commitment to exercising through the Bar Method, which has improved her strength, back pain, and mobility. She shares her hiking trips with college roommates and how they inspired her to get in better shape for future adventures. Jessica reflects on the importance of staying active and healthy, especially as her children have grown older. She mentions the challenges and joys of balancing personal development with family responsibilities.
Harvard Reflections
Jessica recalls her time at Harvard, including the Introduction to Russian Civilization class where she met her husband. She highlights a sophomore tutorial in history and literature with Bob Lamb and Mark Dolan, which taught her the value of a deep dive into complex texts. Jessica admits that her interest in history and literature has waned since graduation, but she still tries to keep up with some classmates' writing. She shares her current reading habits, focusing on shorter pieces in The New Yorker and other publications.
Final Thoughts
Jessica encourages listeners to connect with her on LinkedIn and to consider volunteering as a CASA advocate. She emphasizes the importance of meaningful volunteer opportunities and the support provided by CASA programs for volunteers. Jessica reflects on the lasting impact of her Harvard education and the value of deep engagement with challenging subjects.
Timestamps:
04:47: Transition to Nonprofit Work
07:27: Role and Impact of CASA
13:58: Challenges and Successes in Volunteer Recruitment
18:26: Personal Growth and Community Involvement
24:27: Health and Personal Development
27:44: Reflections on Harvard and Personal Interests
31:09: Connecting with Classmates and Volunteer Opportunities
Links:
CASA website: https://nationalcasagal.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-kerrigan-b5398811/
CASA program: CASAKC.org