Sarah Hague ’14: Liaison in Federal Legislature

Sarah Hague ’14 was recently hired as a caseworker for U.S. Representative Carolyn Maloney (NY-12). Hague began her work with Maloney as an intern as part of her master’s program practicum in August of 2015, and was hired five months later.

“As a caseworker,” she says, “I serve as a liaison between constituents and government agencies.” If one of the Congresswoman’s constituents faces an issue with a federal agency, Hague helps to advocate on their behalf.

One year in, her portfolio now includes working with non-immigrant visas, health, welfare and food stamps, children’s issues and representing the Congresswoman at community events and meetings.

While Hague now liaises with government agencies, just a couple years ago you might have seen her walking from Lane to social work classes. She earned her degree from Gordon in social work and sociology, with a peace and conflicts studies minor. From there, she pursued a Master of Social Work degree from Columbia University School of Social Work in May of 2016, and her license (LMSW) in December of 2016.

Her work, she says, is particularly interesting in light of the recent election, as more constituents on both sides of the aisle become more involved in politics. As the political climate heats up, she says, her future plans involve moving to Washington, D.C. to work in public policy as a legislative director for a member of Congress, and eventually moving over to a federal agency for policy analysis.

Though her plans are on the national scale, Hague started small and early. “I was on Representative John Larson’s Congressional Youth Cabinet when I was in high school, which was an incredible experience and absolutely sparked in me a passion for politics,” she says. At Gordon, she completed her field practicum with U.S. Representative John Tierney, which she says was a valuable experience in Congressional office work.

“I would encourage everyone to become politically engaged, regardless of what party you support,” she says. “It is imperative that people become aware of what is happening in politics and become as involved as possible. “I can say from personal experience that calling your elected official at the city, state and federal levels makes a world of difference.”

By Sierra Elizabeth Flach ’18, communication arts and English language and literature (creative writing)