March 2018 - Alex Gourdikian

ALEXANDRA GOURDIKIAN

Bio: Alex graduated from Pepperdine University in 2014 with an Economics degree. Additionally, she served as the Director of Membership for Pepperdine College Republicans Club where she hosted mock debates and Presidential debate watch parties to promote political involvement,  as well fostering education and enthusiasm with her peers. Her leadership accomplishments include writing three publications, two being published in the Daily Signal titled “How Much Was Misspent on Food Stamps” and “Americans Support Limits on Food Stamps” as well as “Wonder Woman” for the Network of Enlightened Women. Currently, Alex works in the office of the Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy in Washington, D.C. as his scheduler.

INTERVIEW WITH ALEX GOURDIKIAN

How did you first connect with the Reagan Education Team at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute?

I worked as an intern for the Annenberg Presidential Learning Center during the spring of 2014. Specifically, I was asked to research KAL 007, an incident in which the Soviet Union shot down a Korean Airlines civilian plane. My colleague and I examined hundreds of documents in the archives located at Reagan Library, and compiled a comprehensive document featuring chronology of events and characters involved. Lastly we presented our research to the Reagan Foundation Executive Team.  The project was the first step in the development of a second scenario, KAL 007, to be featured at the Discovery Center. I truly enjoyed this learning experience and the opportunity to examine primary documents, a true insight into President Reagan’s life.

If you had to choose one word to describe leadership what would it be?

Honesty

What advice would you offer to someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

The advice I would offer to someone wanting to follow in my footsteps is cultivate and exemplify a strong work ethic. Specifically, treat every task, big or small, with the same seriousness, always striving to complete it to the best of your ability. Also, I think it is very important to act with integrity, to always be honest, and admit your mistakes.