Scholarship Winners

2023-2024

Olivia Ranum

Public Policy & Administration Major

2022-2023

Enrique Fuller

Political Science Major

Helping others has always been a point of emphasis for me, but I craved the formal knowledge needed to affect change on a larger scale.  Additionally, those in my community back at home are typically limited in this sort of dicipline, so I felt responsible for fulfilling myself and inspiring other in this meaningful way.  Being involved in this department revealed the experiences needed to achieve this kind of change, which is very important to me. This scholarship not only helps defray the financial impact higher education puts on me but will also allow me to prioritize my dream of getting into law school and ultimately becoming an attorney.  Money is at the forefront of students’ minds, and I take this honor with thanks and as a great blessing provided by the Department of Politics, Policy and Administration.

2020-2021

Jessie Scott, WOU Alumnus

Political Science Major

“I transferred to WOU at the start of my Junior year, and that is also when I decided to change my major. Rather than pursuing biology I switched gears completely and began my journey towards a Political Science degree. I am extremely glad I chose WOU and this major. All of my professors and peers have been fantastic and I have learned so much. Politics can be a bit of a controversial subject, but what I have come to learn is that they are related to everything and everyone, daily. A career in political science will grant me the opportunity to improve the quality of life for people while allowing me to always grow and learn from new experiences. I look forward to a future focused on international studies and finding ways to incite positive changes wherever my explorations take me.”

2019-2020

Jessica Martinez-Medina, third year

Public Policy and Administration major | Spanish and Organizational Leadership minor

“I am very passionate about public service, social justice, and helping others. I seek to provide equity and justice for all people. Before I started WOU I knew that I wanted to assist my community and through my experience I learned that Public Policy and Administration was the perfect way to do that. This major has given me the flexibility to learn more about what public service really means and the opportunity to make life-long connections. Overall, the program has allowed me to grow as a person and has motivated me to continue to empower and help our communities.”

2016-2017

Anthony Medina, WOU Alumnus

Public Policy and Administration major | Sociology minor

“I grew up in a small rural farm-working town that was predominantly Latino. I, along with many of my other classmates, were first in our families to go to college. Through the Public Policy and Administration program at Western, I have been able to grow personally and professionally.”

Following his time at Western Oregon University, Anthony obtained a MA from Stanford University in 2015. He has now started working for the Department of Administrative Services in the Chief Financial Office as an Assistant Budget and Policy Analyst. His main job duties involve the drafting of the Governor’s Recommended Budget and presenting agency budgets in his portfolio to the legislature.

2016-2017

Erika Gutierrez, WOU Alumnus

Public Policy and Administration major | Psychology minor

“If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place”. –Nora Roberts

“I am a first generation student with two immigrant parents who have instilled in me the importance of having an education from a very young age. They have always encouraged and supported my decision on what I’ve wanted to study as long as it was something that I truly wanted. I was able to learn and expand my interests through this program. From my very first political science class, I was convinced that Public Policy and Administration was the right major for me. Every professor inspired and motivated me to do well in class. I am very appreciative to the Politics, Policy, and Administration Department for offering this scholarship and picking me to be a recipient. Thank you.”

2014-2015

Jill Gentry, WOU Alumnus 

   “I have been working for the State of Oregon Human Services for over 6 years. I am now a Family Coach at the South Salem branch where I get to use my knowledge and experience to directly support families receiving cash assistance move toward their own self-sufficiency goals. Receiving the scholarship was such an honor and it really helped me bridge the gap between my financial resources and financial needs to earn my degree, which has allowed me to get the job I ultimately wanted.”