Kate Blankinship

Originally from Memphis, Kate graduated with honors from the University of Chicago with a major in Linguistics and minor in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations. As an undergraduate, Kate was heavily involved in public service, working with local pre-schools and CBOs while also pursuing independent and supervised research on anti-poverty, child welfare, and other social welfare programs. As a research assistant, Kate analyzed poor civil litigants’ access to the federal legal system, the availability of public health resources in tribal communities and in U.S. territories, and the resilience of SNAP and Medicaid in the current administration. After graduating college, Kate served with Americorps, working with the nonprofit College Possible in Chicago where she advocated for and mentored high school seniors as they navigated the college application and scholarships processes.

Field placement: Alabama Arise

Montgomery, Alabama

Policy placement: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Washington, D.C.