Pursuing passions

Meet Washington, D.C. Network Leader Cristin Monahan ’11

Cristin Monahan ’11 in blue suit (center) with wife Michaela Salvo ’17M (MD) and their University of Rochester alumni wedding guests

What was your time like as a student?

When I came to the University of Rochester, I knew I wanted to be involved with LGBTQ life and activism on campus. I grew up in a fairly conservative environment, and one of the reasons I chose Rochester was because of the vibrant and visible Queer community, both on campus and within the city. I joined the Executive Board of Pride Network (the LGBTQ student group) in October of my first year. I was on the Executive Board for the rest of my time at the University, and the ability and freedom to develop programming and engage in activism on behalf of my community was immensely rewarding.

As a history major, I had the opportunity and support to pursue research on topics that really interested me. Under Professor Wolcott, I performed field research and interviews to explore the diversity of gender identity and expression in the blue-collar lesbian community of Buffalo in the 1950s. For my senior thesis, advised by Professors Parthé, Applegate and Lenoe, I researched how the Bolsheviks used their new legal code to reinforce “proletariat mores” in revolutionary Russia by selectively prosecuting those who “subverted the natural order” by defying gender roles. Both projects were fascinating, fun, and challenging, and I was fortunate to have the guidance of fantastic faculty members.

How did your experience at the University of Rochester influence your life? 

My time at Rochester left me with two lessons that I carry to this day: pursue your passions and exercise a multidisciplinary approach whenever possible. Your passions won’t always pay the bills (sometimes they will!), but the pursuit of interests or activities that you find deeply engaging provides a different kind of reward. I find that putting time and energy towards my (sometimes niche) interests revitalizes me and helps me avoid burnout in other areas of my life. As for following a multidisciplinary approach, the Rochester curriculum encouraged me to look at a problem or subject through different lenses. As a cybersecurity policy researcher, I try to understand what happens in cyberspace from military, political, technical, economic, legal, and societal perspectives. Although it takes more leg work, this approach provides a more complete understanding of the issue at hand and increases the odds of a solution. One added benefit is that I have interesting conversations with many people smarter than myself, and that’s pretty rewarding.

What made you want to become part of the Washington D.C. Network Leadership Council?

I had just moved to the DC area to pursue grad school, and I was looking for a way to make friends and build a network in my new home. I really enjoy developing programming for my fellow alumni, and I love learning about the fascinating ways that Rochester alums are making the world ever better.

What are you looking forward to next?

Traveling! Czechia and Iceland (because Rochester isn’t cold enough) are on my short list, and I would love to see Mongolia one day. Just add a face mask to my eye mask and wake me up when we land!