"The College instills a life-long dedication to learning in its students."

Jeffrey Breuer '16 

Major: Government
Hometown: Essex Junction, VT 

How did you decide on your major? Have your plans changed since you started Cornell?
Growing up in a deeply accessible political environment in Vermont, I started volunteering for campaigns when I was 12 years old, distributing yard signs and participating in outreach events for then-Senator Barack Obama during the democratic primary in the fall of 2007. Since then, I've held a deep passion for the study of government, focusing on American politics in my time at Cornell. Throughout my time here, I immersed myself in courses that have challenged my understanding of our governance system and have shaped the way I view the world we live in. Whether it be a in a course on Constitutional Law or a graduate-level seminar in political Game Theory, the Government department has offered me the distinct opportunity to challenge myself every day in the classroom, learning about something I have been passionate about for almost a decade.

Can you tell us a little about your career plans or goals?
After graduation, I plan to move to a major metropolitan area and continue a life-long commitment to working hard on the things that I care most about. Whether that means working in Washington D.C. in policy advocacy, assisting a start-up in Los Angeles or focusing on analytics in New York City, I feel completely prepared to take on the myriad of challenges I am sure to face as I transition away from my time on the Hill and into the next phase of my adult life. The strength of a liberal arts education at Cornell is found in how the College really instills a life-long dedication to learning in its students.

What activities/organizations are you involved in at Cornell?
As a senior, I serve as a Resident Advisor in the Court-Kay-Bauer residential community on North Campus, overseeing a group of 30 residents. In this position, I have been able to share my Cornell story with a new crop of students and help guide them towards the best experience this campus can offer. During my time at Cornell, I have been a writer for the Cornell Daily Sun, an executive board member of the College of Arts & Sciences' Ambassadors program, a candidate for President of the Student Assembly and an intern assisting in the planning and development of the Charter Day celebration of Cornell's sesquicentennial year amongst other activities.

What has been the most life-changing lesson or experience you've had at Cornell so far?
Each semester, I made a promise to myself to never take a class because I thought it would be the "easy" thing to do. When planning out my schedules, I looked for classes that would be challenging in different ways, whether that be delving deeper into a subject than I had ever before or looking into a subject for the very first time. In my time at Cornell, I have built a course history that includes classes in law, education, plant pathology, wines, microbiology and film. The College of Arts & Sciences encouraged me to explore each one of my interests, which has enabled me to approach matters outside of the classroom with the same level of passion and enthusiasm.

Where is your favorite place to study on campus?
I enjoy studying in the Cocktail Lounge of Uris Library because of its long hours and focused atmosphere. However, whenever I am just looking for a place to relax and read, I've found there to be plenty of great spots out in the Cornell Plantations for students to really decompress (weather permitting).

What was the last book you read?
Outsider in the House, Bernie Sanders