Xanthe Larsen graduated from the University of Utah in 1993 with a BA in Political Science, a BS in Economics, and a minor in French. Following graduation, she spent a year in Washington, D.C. working for Congressman Jim Hansen before returning to the University of Utah to complete a joint JD/MBA in 1997.

A defining aspect of Larsen’s Hinckley experience was the mentorship of Ted Wilson, then Director of the Hinckley Institute. She recalls his generosity, accessibility, and unwavering support of students, noting that he was a consistent favorite at Delta Gamma’s annual Favorite Professor Dinner. His leadership helped shape the Hinckley Institute’s culture into one that combined high academic and professional standards with a welcoming and accessible environment for students.

After her freshman year, Larsen participated in a Hinckley internship in Washington, D.C. with Congressman Jim Hansen. That experience proved pivotal, ultimately leading to a full-time position on his legislative staff after graduation, an opportunity that bridged her undergraduate studies and graduate education in law and business. She credits her political science coursework with providing a strong academic foundation for both advanced degrees.

For her senior honors thesis, Larsen conducted an empirical analysis of economic and political indicators to examine how women’s workforce participation influences social and political authority. Focusing on caste-based societies, her research found that lower-caste women, who often worked out of economic necessity, experienced significant gains in independence, decision-making authority, and political participation. In contrast, upper-caste women, for whom working was socially stigmatized, saw comparatively stagnant levels of authority and influence.

Reflecting on her undergraduate experience, Larsen emphasizes that in the early 1990s, it was uncommon for students to engage directly with the political process. Her time on Capitol Hill provided a deeper appreciation for the rule of law and the ethical responsibilities of those who administer and uphold it. Observing the legislative process firsthand, she came to understand law as a reflection of human needs, emotions, and evolving conceptions of fairness and responsibility. She also gained a lasting appreciation for how disagreement in politics, when constructive, can foster innovation and better outcomes.

These experiences enriched her academic journey, giving greater purpose to her studies and enhancing her engagement in classroom discussions. They also shaped her intellectual development, influencing her honors thesis and later informing her legal scholarship on Takings Clause valuation policies and reform proposals aimed at reducing inequitable property targeting.

When asked about her favorite Hinckley memory, Larsen points to her time living in Oakwood with fellow summer interns. She describes it as an unforgettable experience marked by close friendships, shared exploration of the D.C. area, museum visits, impromptu happy hours, and evenings spent exchanging books. With no phones or televisions, the group built a strong sense of community. 

Larsen’s Hinckley experience had a lasting influence on her educational and professional path. Working on Capitol Hill exposed her to the complexities of politics, negotiation, and human behavior in decision-making processes. She carried these lessons into law and business school and into her career as a lawyer specializing in mergers and acquisitions and international project finance. Larsen describes her Hinckley experience as one of the most formative and valuable aspects of her undergraduate education.