Eliza Knepler

Pronouns: She/Her
Hometown: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Program Pathway: Full-time
Expected Graduation: 2026

Hello! I’m a concurrent MPA/MAIS student with a strong interest in international development and policy analysis. I’ve always been drawn to understanding how policy solutions shapes people’s lives and the world around us, and that curiosity has guided a lot of my academic and personal choices. I completed my B.S. in sociology, which helped me build a foundation in how society shapes our behaviors and outcomes, and pushed me to keep exploring new questions. Outside of school, I love checking out new spots around Seattle, and I am an avid reader and experienced knitted. I excited to connect with prospective students and share what I’ve learned along the way.

What has been your favorite part of being a part of the Evans community?

Evans Students are very community-oriented, both in collaborating on academic work and connecting over shared interests and in casual settings.

What surprised you most when you started the MPA program?

The faculty are so friendly and willing to connect with students!

What advice would you give to someone considering the program? Why did you choose Evans?

I chose Evans because of the rigorous curriculum and the wide range of faculty specializations.

What has been your favorite class so far, and why?

My favorite class has been 513! I think that class showed me how lots of policy research and policy techniques intersect to build powerful policy solutions.