Alumni Spotlight: Arianna Nassiri ’20

For Arianna Nassiri ’20, public service was a calling she recognized long before entering the workforce — or even graduating high school. This passion took root in middle school and became a reality during her time at Convent High School when she served three terms as a San Francisco Youth Commissioner, appointed by Mayor London Breed. Today, as a Government Relations Director at the American Red Cross, she continues to advocate for meaningful change. In this Q&A, Arianna reflects on how her Sacred Heart education fostered her love of learning, drive to serve and commitment to building a better world.

1. What has your journey been since graduating from Convent & Stuart Hall? How did you transition into your current career?

I like to think that Convent shaped me into the learner, worker and person that I am today. Upon my graduation in 2020, I continued my academic journey at Georgetown University, where I majored in U.S. Public Policy and Business Management. I knew a career in public service was my calling relatively early — as my extracurriculars and academic endeavors during my time at Convent reflect — but it was the wholehearted support of the faculty, peers and mentors in this community that helped me realize those ambitions into a reality. 

My Sacred Heart education positioned me to thrive in college: I was not afraid to ask questions, seek support and think deeply and interdisciplinarily about how all of my coursework and club experiences intersected. I was no stranger to the tight deadline and the daunting 20–30 page research assignment (thanks to the rigorous coursework of the IB program), and most importantly, I had an inherent, fundamental interest in learning. 

Convent & Stuart Hall fosters a hunger for knowledge and a thirst for personal betterment, and I believe those are attributes that separate a good student from a lifelong learner. Thanks to the foundation laid in me by this institution, I was able to graduate with Latin Honors from Georgetown whilst balancing a Division 1 athletic commitment and working an internship throughout my junior and senior years of college. Upon my graduation, I took a much-needed break to travel and visit some family across the globe, and it was during that time that I encountered an opening to serve as the California representative for the Government Relations team at the Red Cross — an organization that wholly embodies the goals and values of the Sacred Heart. I saw an opportunity to use my education as a means to better my community, and I could not say no. 

2. What is one accomplishment in your career that you are especially proud of, and why?

There have been a few key points in my career that come to mind as moments I take particular pride in, but I think the turning point in my career — and the moment I am the most proud of in retrospect — actually took place during my time as a student at Convent. In 2017, I was sworn in as a City Commissioner in San Francisco, serving as the youth voice on various committees and chambers in City Hall, an opportunity only made possible thanks to the support and advocacy of Convent & Stuart Hall faculty and staff. In the summer of 2019, as my third term and my senior year approached, I was asked to support Speaker Nancy Pelosi's team in introducing a House Resolution that later became known as H.R.1 - The For the People Act. I was given a tight turnaround to draft an address that I was to read live on national news standing beside the Speaker, who had long been one of my professional role models. The address aired across national news outlets, serving as an example to young people that civic engagement is not an age-restricted space. That address kickstarted my career in national politics, and it would not have been possible without the communication, research and leadership skills instilled in me through my Sacred Heart education.

3. How did your experience at Convent & Stuart Hall shape your values, ambitions or approach to life after graduation? 

The goal-oriented education at Convent has clear and defining impacts on the work ethics and intelligence of its students, but one of the more implicit values that I gained from my time at Convent was an orientation towards service. We were reminded consistently that what we learned in the classroom was only as valuable as how we used that knowledge beyond the walls of campus. Thinking of an education this way helped me thrive in college because I always found ways to identify relevance and utility in what I was learning.

4. What advice would you give to current students aspiring to enter your field or industry?

Politics is public service first, so I would advise students who want to enter this space to do their best to get involved and engaged with their local community beyond Convent & Stuart Hall. Use your service hour requirement as a means to work directly with members of your local community who are most in need. Speak with them, and understand what systems, challenges and obstacles have positioned them this way, and try to work backwards to see where and how you can fit into these processes as an agent of change. Empathy is rare in politics, but it is one of the strongest catalysts of reform, so use these years to build a foundation of empathy and build a career of public service upon that.

5. What general advice would you give to current students about navigating life, finding purpose, or pursuing happiness?

Don’t be afraid to ask for the things you want. If I had not sought out opportunities simply because I thought I was not old or qualified enough to have them, I would not be in the position I am today. The worst-case scenario is that someone says no, but more often than not, the barriers between us and opportunities are permeable. And if you are looking to identify what it is exactly that you want, I’d suggest trial and error — seek out opportunities in different industries and subjects. If you enjoyed chemistry class, perhaps take a lab-based summer camp or internship. You are not racing against the clock at this point, so don’t feel pressured to identify that spike now. College is exploratory, so use your time at Convent & Stuart Hall to build a solid foundation for yourself as a person before entering into the "real world." Find the things that make you happy, build good habits, surround yourself with people who uplift you and your ambitions, and find ways to help those around you who could use your support.