Antonella Sessa ’24 From RES to Political Leadership at Northwestern

For Antonella Sessa ’24, her passion for politics and public service has continued to grow since her days at Resurrection College Prep High School. Now a rising junior at Northwestern University, Antonella is pursuing her passion for government, civic engagement and advocacy while making an impact on campus and in the Chicago community.

Antonella is majoring in Political Science and International Studies, with a minor in Legal Studies and a certificate in Civic Engagement. Her lifelong interest in politics and government inspired her to study political science in college and better understand how political structures shape communities and society.

At Northwestern, Antonella serves as Vice President of Education for Open Democracy Northwestern, a student organization dedicated to promoting open political conversations and encouraging students to engage with ideas and perspectives from across the political spectrum. She also works as a student employee and advocate with Northwestern Student Affairs.

Her commitment to public service extends beyond campus. This spring, Antonella interned in the district office of Illinois State Representative Kelly Cassidy in Rogers Park, gaining firsthand experience working within state government. This summer, she is continuing to build her professional experience as a Political and Research Fellow at APS & Associates, a public-relations consulting firm. In this role, she supports finance and fundraising management efforts for the Illinois Attorney General, a Cook County Commissioner and the Chicago Teachers Union.

Antonella's work ethic began long before college. She continues to work part-time at Trader Joe’s in Park Ridge, a job she has held since her sophomore year at RES. This fall, she will add another exciting experience to her college journey when she studies abroad in Madrid.

Looking ahead, Antonella plans to take a gap year after completing her undergraduate degree and hopes to work in state or federal government for several years before returning to school to earn her law degree. Ultimately, she hopes to pursue a career as a lawyer within state or federal government.

When reflecting on what RES gave her, Antonella credits her alma mater with helping her believe in herself and her potential.

“RES taught me to never doubt myself. It is so easy to think that you aren't worthy of getting into a school, getting a job, or achieving success in your life. RES helped me see that nothing is impossible and there is always room to keep pushing to make your dreams a reality.”

We are incredibly proud to celebrate all that Antonella has accomplished since graduating from RES. We can't wait to see where your passion and determination take you next.