Welcome to Women in Politics: College Edition, where promising women leaders in student government on college and university campuses across the country will be featured on msnbc.com. Sarah Handler has been nominated to represent Bradley University as a leader making a difference not only through key issues on campus, but in bridging the gender gap in politics.
As part of msnbc’s “Women in Politics” series, these hand-selected women become part of a larger discussion of women candidates and women’s issues on a national level. “Women in Politics” features newsmaker interviews, profiles, photos, and deep dives into the key conversations.
Name: Sarah Handler
School: Bradley University
Hometown: Buffalo Grove, IL
Concentrations: Industrial Engineering major, Political Science minor
Role in student government: Student Body President, SustainUS Delegate to the 57th and 58th United Nations Commissions on the Status of Women.
Dream job: Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
Class year: 2016
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What is your biggest challenge as a leader on campus?
My biggest challenge is being seen as a “female leader” and not just a “leader.” Too often, people will pay attention to my gender first and my ideas second, and criticisms can unfortunately become ad hominem attacks rather than critiques of my proposals. Because some view me as the “Female President,” and not just as the “President,” I feel that I not only have to gain support and respect for my ideas but also gain respect as a woman in this position.
As both the Student Body President and a woman in engineering, I know what it’s like to feel out of place because of my gender. Many of the academic and leadership environments I am in are historically male dominated spaces, and it has been difficult to assuage the lingering feeling that I do not belong because I am a woman.
Which female leaders do you draw inspiration from?








