Benjamin Craig ’20: Hitting the Ground Running

Music Maker. Future Civil Rights Lawyer. Kennedy Enthusiast.

As a high school student Benjamin Craig’s motto was, “Here’s my plate, load it on.” He brought that mentality with him to Emmanuel, where he has always been ready to take on a new opportunity.

It all started for him, literally, on day one. A musician, Benjamin reached out the College’s liturgical music director before arriving on campus and kicked off his musical career at Emmanuel playing guitar at the Welcome Mass on his own Move-In Day. Since then, he has played at campus-wide events and served as a music ministry intern in the Center for Mission & Ministry.

His studies on political consensus and conflict prepared him well for his first internship in the city of Boston—as a congressional intern for U.S. Senator Edward Markey.

Benjamin also took initiative in his academic pursuits. A double major in political science and communications & media studies, his drive to learn at the highest level earned him a spot in the 3000-level American Political Thought during his freshman year. He’s now a peer tutor for that class, helping other students achieve at their highest potential. “It feels very full circle,” he says.

“I started a few days after the 2016 Presidential election, so I was thrown right into the firestorm,” he says. “I was the only first-year intern, but by the end I was able to take on a mentorship role for the others.”

Next, he hit the ground advocating for critical issues as a political operations intern for the Massachusetts Democratic Party, where he often saw familiar faces. “It was great to see Emmanuel represented on Beacon Hill and to find those connections throughout the city.”

Benjamin’s ultimate goal is to attend law school and become a civil rights lawyer. First, he intends to gain more internship experience and, for the third year, serve as a Resident Assistant for first-year students. “I get to be a resource for them. To say, ‘Hey, I got involved my first day. You can, too.’”