Deksyos Damtew
Pronouns: he/him 
Graduation year: 2022
Hometown: Denver, CO
Currently living in: Montgomery, AL
Current occupation: Project Assistant, Equal Justice Initiative
What was your experience at CC like as an International Political Economy major?
As an IPE major, I got the opportunity to take classes across economics, political science, and other disciplines. By taking an international approach to political economy, the interdisciplinary nature of the major provided me with the opportunity to examine competing perspectives and created a holistic learning experience. I enjoyed learning from leading scholars who challenged my biases and encouraged me to apply my own knowledge to the field. Over my years, I watched as professors increasingly addressed the biases within scholarship, which encouraged me to challenge traditional assumptions in the fields of economics and political science. The blend of theory and practice of the major and working with my forward-thinking peers, made my time at Colorado College a period of academic curiosity and growth.
Why were you interested in focusing on International Political Economy as your major?
I entered college with the desire to pick a major that reflected my interest in addressing economic and racial injustice, without only focusing on the United States. As an Ethiopian American immigrant, I've developed an understanding that often the conversation around injustice can be limited to the United States, and growing up I watched as aspects of my identity, particularly my Ethiopian heritage, were marginalized. By taking an international approach to the study of political economy, I hoped to advance the power of cross-cultural dialogue to address some of these injustices. Ultimately, I hope to pursue a career as a public interest lawyer, focused on advancing human rights for all.
How are you using your major in your post-CC life?
At the Equal Justice Initiative and previously at the Colorado Department of Law, I am often asked to balance multiple perspectives at the same time. Balancing cultural, economic, political, and social considerations is something that my experience at Colorado College prepared me for. My major often asked me to pursue difficult answers to complicated questions, which encourages me to commit to a continuous process of learning.