Stephanie Bogema graduated with a degree in Political Science. After graduation she served as an AmeriCorps program leader but soon left to work for Congressman Fred Upton on Capitol Hill. She has since worked as the Chief of Staff for several legislators including former State Senator Margaret O’Brien. After transitioning to the healthcare industry last August to work as the Chief of Staff to Joan Budden, the President and CEO of Priority Health, the second largest health plan in Michigan, she is currently the Senior Project Specialist to Chad Tuttle, the Senior Vice President of Hospital and Post-Acute Operations for Spectrum Health West Michigan. Bogema recently finished her MBA at the University of Notre Dame in May 2020 and completed a Health Policy fellowship through the Center for Healthcare Research and Transformation at the University of Michigan in 2017. Bogema began to get experience in politics as a student at Hope with her involvement in the Hope Republicans, Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honors Society, and Washington D.C Honors semester program along with completing political science research with Dr. Virginia Beard.  

What was a favorite memory while you were a student at Hope?
Having coffee at Lemonjello’s with other students, developing special friendships with my roommates in Hawkinson Cottage and spending many hours in the political science department learning from excellent professors and completing research.
How are you a different person today because of your Hope experience?
Hope College beautifully prepared me to be successful both personally and professionally. I grew so much during my time as a student by exploring and pushing myself to experience new things. Hope is a safe place to fully embrace this utterly unique time to be a student and develop into a lifelong learner.
What was your favorite food at Phelps?
Frozen yogurt
What is something you love about your job/career path?
How vast and multidisciplinary it is. Transitioning from the public sector to healthcare has allowed me to gain such insight about a breadth of topics and complex ones at that. I enjoy the diversity and challenge of working in such a disruptive and constantly evolving industry-every day looks different.
What spot on campus do you miss the most?
Dimnent Chapel
What was your favorite class you took at Hope? Why?
Ancient and Medieval Political Thought with Dr. Jeff Polet. It was one of the most substantive and thought-provoking courses I have ever taken.
What has been the highlight of your professional career?
Working closely with Joan Budden, the President and CEO of Priority Health. Her leadership and vision doubled the size of the organization during her tenure. Having the enviable opportunity to observe such a transformational leader led to tremendous growth and development in a short period of time. It also led to significant vocational clarity during a critical transition. I will always be grateful that she pushed me to accomplish more than I thought possible.

Hope College is proud to honor Stephanie Bogema ’10 with the 2020 10 Under 10 Award. The “10 Under 10 Awards” honors emerging leaders who are making significant contributions by living out their callings; engaged in the local and global community through professional and/or volunteer involvement; and use their education to think about important issues with wisdom and clarity, communicate effectively to bridge boundaries that divide human communities and act as agents of hope living faithfully into their vocations. Designed for alumni who are within 10 years of graduation, they are presented by the Hope College Alumni Association. Make a nomination today!

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