Congratulations, You're Hired!

Jun 30, 2026

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Ashleigh Mein watched the news every single night growing up, though not at all by choice. Her dad had an iron grip on the remote, and Mein was forced to watch CNN, for national coverage, and primarily CBS6 Albany for local news. Politics often dominates news coverage, and one evening, when Mein pondered her career path out loud, her dad chimed in between news segments with an idea:

"Why don't you go into politics?" Mein shot back, "I would never!"

Immediately following graduation, Mein stepped into her full-time position as legislative director for New York Assemblyman Scott Bendett (R,C - Sand Lake), pictured above with Mein. She's an all-in politico with designs of perhaps running for office herself one day. How did we get here from "I would never"? It was a faculty mentor and an intro to political communications class that changed the trajectory of her life.

Mein comes from a family of teachers. Her mom is the assistant director of special education at Averill Park High School, and for years, Mein assumed she would pursue the family business. She attended The College of St. Rose, and when it closed, she figured she would finish her education degree at Siena. But then she took a political communications course with Taewoo Kang, Ph.D., associate professor of political communication.

"He really opened my eyes to the field of political communications. Our class took a field trip, and I met Nick Wilock (the director of conference press operations in the NYS Assembly for the Republican conference)," said Mein. "I told him I thought I wanted to be a teacher but I wasn't sure. He pointed to the education building and said I could be there one day informing policy or I could work for the governor and be their education specialist. In the classroom, I could impact 25 students at a time. But Nick opened my eyes to a different path, the chance to make a positive difference through policy."

Next, Mein had to get her foot in someone's door. Mein went to high school and played soccer with Allie Bendett '27, Assemblyman Bendett's daughter. That connection led to an internship in the assemblyman's office in January. Shortly after, she was promoted to part-time administrative aide, and now, full-time legislative director.

"It's a jack of all trades kind of job. I communicate with constituents, I manage scheduling and play a role with bills and legislation. Once we get back into session, the role will take on greater responsibility."

Mein says she initially pushed back on the idea of politics for two reasons. She worried about the drama she saw on the news and she worried there weren't opportunities for women. There's still some drama, the news isn't wrong about that. But through her experience, she's discovered that politics is about improving the quality of life for your constituents. As for opportunities - she went from intern to legislative director in six months. As for what's next?

"I do have more interest in running for office someday. I was drawn to special education because I wanted to help people. But as the voice of people you represent, I could do that on a much larger scale. St. Rose closing was meant to happen for me. I wouldn't have been happy as a teacher. At Siena, I found my path."

And just maybe her dad knew what he was talking about.

"He was obviously my biggest inspiration to go into politics. And now, every Sunday night, we talk about politics and what's going on in the world. He's always been my number one supporter, and he still is."