I think public higher education is more important now than ever. We need to make sure we have affordable options that make sense for families to get a high-quality education. I’m really proud of my career, and it’s fun to be able to talk to students and say, ‘You can have an impactful career, too, after your time at Bridgewater'
Just 10 days after moving to Washington, D.C., for an internship, Katie McCue, ’03, found herself in the middle of a day that would forever change the United States — and her understanding of what she wanted to do with her life.
That day was September 11, 2001.
On that fateful day, terrorists hijacked four airplanes and used them to strike the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in D.C.
McCue was working in an office on Capitol Hill when security guards rushed in and instructed anyone wearing heels to take them off and run.
“They thought more planes were coming to hit the Capitol building … It was quite traumatic and life-changing,” she said.
McCue was ushered into a car with a staffer who brought the young intern to their home in Maryland. She stayed there until things settled. When she made it back to her apartment, she could see the Pentagon burning from her balcony.
Despite that unsettling beginning McCue felt connected to the city and found her purpose.
Twenty-five years ago, McCue, then a junior at Bridgewater State had secured the internship through the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars. She was turned on to the opportunity by Political Science Professor Dr. George Serra.
Originally, McCue was studying sociology. After taking an American Government class with Serra, she decided government was her true calling and majored in political science.
“He was a mentor to me, and it was through his leadership that I learned of the internship at the Washington Center,” she said.
McCue arrived in Washington, D.C., eager to work in the nation’s capital. She couldn’t have known how quickly that experience would become unforgettable.
Despite that unsettling beginning, McCue felt connected to the city and found her purpose.
“It sounds a little crazy, but I just fell in love with being at the center of the decision-making. I believe government is a force of good. The notion that it’s bad or can take something from you, that’s not true. Government can do the most good for many people,” she said.
After graduating from BSU with a degree in political science and minor in public relations, McCue continued her education and earned a master’s in political management from George Washington University.
Since then, McCue has built a career across several roles, each adding another layer to the experience she brings to her work today.
For the past 15 years, the BSU alumna has worked for the Massachusetts Municipal Association, where she is now deputy executive director.
The organization represents all 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts, serving as a unified voice for local governments across the state.
“When I was in my early 20s, like most young people, I thought government only happens in D.C. I didn’t know then, but I do now. Local government is the closest to the people,” McCue said. “Local government is making sure the streets are plowed, the trash is picked up, it oversees public safety and schools.”
She often comes back to her alma mater to talk with students and encourages them to reach out to her on LinkedIn to learn more about working in local government. McCue also stresses that a degree from a state school is just as valuable as one from a school with a more prestigious name.
“I think public higher education is more important now than ever. We need to make sure we have affordable options that make sense for families to get a high-quality education,” she said. “I’m really proud of my career, and it’s fun to be able to talk to students and say, ‘You can have an impactful career, too, after your time at Bridgewater.’”
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