In recent years, UC Berkeley’s Political Economy program has seen notable growth not only in student interest, but also in alumni involvement. A key force behind this momentum is the Political Economy Alumni Advisory Board, established seven years ago to strengthen the program’s sense of community, improve student professional outcomes and demonstrate the broad range of careers that a political economy degree can support.
The board brings together alumni from a diverse array of industries and geographic locations who are eager to give back to the undergraduate major that helped to shape their professional journeys. From organizing career forums for students on topics such as resume-building and interview skills, to hosting alumni networking mixers, the board plays a central role in building a connected, community-driven program with strong ties between students, faculty and alumni.
“The board has continued to focus on networking, creating opportunities for their own professional development and access to the institution,” said Christian Gordon, Berkeley Social Sciences assistant dean of development. “They also work on student-to-alumni networking, particularly helping our students fill critical gaps, whether it’s dealing with impostor syndrome or understanding the pathway into various careers and industries. The student-to-alumni networking is critical, and also sets expectations for future alumni and their responsibility to give back and help the students that follow them.”
The board, which includes about 30 members, is made up of alumni who are deeply committed to the Political Economy program’s success, and believe strongly in the major and its impact on their own professional growth.
“The Political Economy alumni board members are incredibly loyal and enthusiastic. They believe in this major and they want to do anything they can to support it. Our board is a model for the division and for campus as a whole,” said Steven Vogel, director of the Political Economy program.
Andy Barkett, the board’s co-chair, added: “Our Alumni Advisory Board serves as the heartbeat of the Political Economy community — bringing students, faculty and alums into one conversation where mentorship, shared experiences and collective ambition inspire every member to learn, grow and give back.”
At the heart of the board’s mission is a shared belief in the value of a political economy degree. The major, which blends disciplines like economics, political science and history, equips students with a well-rounded education and the tools to take on issues such as international relations, law, finance, commerce and trade. For many alumni, that foundation proved to be a launchpad into a wide range of paths — underscoring the board’s goal of highlighting the major’s versatility to current students.
That message resonates deeply with the board’s current co-chair Alison Shimada, a Political Economy alumna, who works in asset management focusing on Emerging Markets.
“[Political Economy] really gave me a very good foundation for many careers I could have chosen. I chose one in asset management, which has become so relevant for me over time, because every day I'm thinking about world events and the implication of those for the stock market,” she said. “Understanding the involvement of the government, the change in regulation, financial markets and consumer sentiment is a reflection of putting that political economy background to work.”
One of the board’s early and lasting advocates is Eric Davis, who was one of the inaugural co-chairs and played a pivotal role in shaping the board’s vision. Davis’s dedication to the program went beyond service — with a generous lead gift, he helped establish the G. Eric and Margaret Davis Professorship, the first-ever endowment in Political Economy at UC Berkeley. The endowment will be used to support teaching and a dedicated faculty member in Political Economy.
Looking ahead, both the board and faculty members have a shared goal: transforming the Political Economy program into a full-fledged department. It’s a vision that reflects the program’s rising student interest, expanding alumni support and evolving curriculum.
The Alumni Advisory Board plays a key role in advocating for this transition, both through emphasizing the importance of the program’s curriculum and by offering the networks, mentorship and financial support necessary to sustain a thriving department.
“My first priority is overseeing anything we can do to help get the program to department status,” Shimada said. “I think that would be a major accomplishment for the program, and acknowledgement that political economy, which incorporates so many areas of social science, is very important in the way that you see the real world.”
As students continue to navigate an increasingly complex global landscape, the Political Economy program is proving that its interdisciplinary roots and growing community of alumni are more relevant than ever. As the board continues to grow, it aims to engage a broader network of alumni so that students experience that support as soon as they graduate.
“We hope to increase engagement with young alumni, and that includes more student engagement with existing board members, as well as increasing career networking opportunities and possibly even job connections,” said Alan Karras, associate director and senior lecturer for the Berkeley Interdisciplinary Social Science Programs.
