Alli Powell

This photo was taken after hiking Mount Pilchuck (in Washington state) with the friends I met through the Media and Social Action ARC at the University of Oregon.

Degree: Planning, Public Policy, and Management

Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2023

2022-2023 Scholarship
Diane M. McKeel Scholarship in PPPM

I Am Originally From Aurora, CO

WHY I CAME TO THE UO AND HOW I CHOSE MY MAJOR
I chose to attend the University of Oregon because of the vast beauty of campus and the nature surrounding it. With this, I was blessed enough to be awarded scholarships as an out-of-state student to attend the University of Oregon. Because of the generosity of scholarships, students like me can attend a great university out of state.

In my first semester of freshman year, I took my first Planning, Public Policy, and Management class; PPPM 280 Intro to Nonprofit. Originally, as a Sociology major, I was incredibly excited to see that there were classes tailored to what I was interested in—nonprofits and public policy. Immediately after taking this class, I switched to a PPPM major with a minor in Sociology. Now, as a rising senior, I am incredibly excited to finish my final classes learning about policy analysis, leadership management, and more before embarking on a career in public affairs.

UNIQUE QUALITIES I BRING TO MY STUDIES
I come from a family of educators and teachers, this gives me a unique understanding and perspective on education as someone who attended schools all year long while I was growing up. This experience allows for a different outlook on class discussions and group projects due to this ingrained understanding of the valude of quality and accessible education. I hope to take what I have learned at UO and work in educational policy.

MY INFLUENTIAL PROFESSORS
Bob Choquette has been an amazing professor throughout my time at UO. From first introducing PPPM to me and sparking my interest in the major, to guiding me through classes such as grant writing, he has been a wonderful professor. He is so passionate about the work that he inspires students like me to foster that same passion.

MY EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
I am the President of the Student Community Organization Club at UO. This club is incredibly important to me because we work to bring PPPM students together to network, socialize, and learn a little bit more about prospective employers and what life after graduation could look like. Through this club, we emphasize the importance of community which is fundamental in all groups and especially for those pursuing a PPPM major or related minor.

MY GREATEST LEARNING EXPERIENCE AT UO
One of my greatest learning experiences was when I worked with a peer to offer a campus-wide food drive after learning about the lack of accessibility for students to healthy food during the pandemic. Through this, I learned the importance of communication with different campus officials and offices as well as perseverance to execute the food drive. We raised over 60 pounds of food, all donated by students, for students struggling with food insecurity.

AFTER GRADUATION
I hope that after graduation I am in a fulfilling job that makes a positive difference for those in the community. I imagine working for a nonprofit, a government entity, or a public school district.

YOUR GIFT
This scholarship means the world to me, and because of it, I am able to continue my education at a great university. No other school has a program like the Planning, Public Policy, and Management program so I am grateful to be able to continue my studies at the University of Oregon because of this scholarship.

Your kindness has such a large impact on students like me. When I first found out I got this scholarship I immediately called my parents to celebrate that I was getting the aid that I needed to continue my studies at UO. I am so incredibly grateful for your support.