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Alumni Spotlight: Joel Anderson, MPA ’23

For Joel Anderson, an MPA ’23 graduate, diving into public service has been all about understanding how our systems work and using that knowledge to make our democracy stronger. As the Assistant Director of External Affairs at the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC), Joel is on a mission to make higher education accessible for everyone in Washington state. His journey started as a young political campaigner, but his time at Evans helped open his eyes to the importance of democracy—showing him that creating policies and being accountable for them is just as crucial as making those policies happen.

Looking back, Joel admits he felt more comfortable pitching ideas than implementing them. But at Evans, he realized how important it is to pair a solid grasp of policy with clear communication. “Proactively sharing ideas with the communities, you serve is just as important as keeping track of your past decisions,” he points out, highlighting that both aspects are key to a healthy democracy.

Joel’s drive to support higher education is deeply personal. As a caregiver for his dad, who battled a terminal illness, he witnessed firsthand how the financial strain of accessing and providing healthcare affected his family as well as his educational dreams. A merit scholarship opened the door for him to attend college, but he believes no one should have to rely on luck to get an education. Now at WSAC, he is working to create policies that ensure everyone has a fair shot at earning a degree or credential.

For Joel, education is a vital community resource that helps strengthen democracy. “Our democracy gets a boost when everyone has equal access to information and basic needs,” he says. By helping students earn their degrees, schools and universities play a huge role in promoting economic mobility and social stability, laying the groundwork for engaged citizens. “If we want to safeguard our democracy, we have to improve access to education and help create well-informed students,” he insists. “Education is a right, not a privilege.”

Joel believes that young people are central to this mission, and many of them are stepping up on critical issues like gun violence and healthcare access. For those who are new to civic engagement, he suggests getting involved with local organizations and keeping track of their advocacy efforts for future generations. “Knowledge is power and sharing that knowledge among young people can really make a difference in how we influence policy decisions,” he explains.

Looking ahead, Joel sees misinformation as one of the biggest threats to democracy, whether it is falsehoods about public health or conspiracy theories around elections. He believes creating spaces for open conversations about different perspectives—and challenging ideas that jeopardize our democracy—will only make our democratic foundations stronger.

With a passion for ensuring equitable access to education and a commitment to uplifting young voices, Joel is dedicated to shaping a vision of democracy that is all about opportunity, understanding, and resilience. We are grateful for his hard work and dedication to the future of democracy!

Event Recap | 2024 Leadership Awards & Celebration

Evans School Public Leadership Awards & Celebration

On October 9, 2024, the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Policy & Governance hosted the Public Leadership Awards & Celebration at Town Hall.

Honoring Public Service

Thank you everyone who joined us for the Public Leadership Awards & Celebration. We launched the Public Leadership Awards in conjunction with our 60th Anniversary in 2022, and we will continue it annually going forward. In these times, it is important to acknowledge and celebrate the courageous leadership happening to improve our communities and transform our public systems. It’s a moment to celebrate and to learn together, and to recharge for the continued work ahead.

Given the recent passing of Dan Evans and of Nancy Evans earlier this year, it was also an opportunity to reflect on the tremendous legacy and impact that this dynamic duo had on our school, the UW, and Washington.

Awardees

We also honored the work of our three 2024 Public Leadership Awardees: Jennyfer Mesa, Liz Baxter, and Trish Millines Dziko. You can watch the full program recording and read more about our awardees below.

Celebrating Community

Inspiring the Next Generation

Following the panel, we watched a short video highlighting our NextGen Civic Leader Corps. This academic program brings together undergraduate students from a variety of disciplines who are passionate about public service, community engagement, and civic leadership and gives them opportunities to connect with like-minded peers and mentors in the public space.

Awardee Profiles

Community Catalyst Awardee Jennyfer Mesa

Research proves grassroots leadership is a critical component of any community’s wellbeing. The Community Catalyst Award recognizes a leader whose efforts impact not just any community, but one which they call home, too. This individual is celebrated for their consistent efforts to foster collaboration, amplify local voices with special attention to historically underrepresented groups, and maintain proximity to those who are impacted most by their work.

Jennyfer Mesa is the Executive Director of Latinos En Spokane, a Latino and immigrant-led 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focused on supporting the Latino and immigrant population in Spokane County. As Executive Director, Jennyfer has significantly increased cultural visibility, health equity, and community livability for Latino and immigrant communities in Eastern Washington by guiding the organization’s strategic direction, developing a diverse staff and consultants, and providing strategic guidance to city and state agencies. Her background in Urban and Regional Planning, housing development, and cross-cultural community development has empowered her to lead impactful programs that directly challenge systemic inequities affecting Latino and immigrant families.

A dedicated advocate for immigrant rights, cultural community development, and social justice, Jennyfer has been at the forefront of countering Border Patrol’s unlawful immigration sweeps and racial profiling, which target and destabilize immigrant communities. By combining community organizing with legal advocacy, she was pivotal in securing policy changes safeguarding immigrants in Washington State. In addition to her immigration advocacy, Jennyfer is deeply committed to advancing health equity for underserved communities. Under her leadership, Latinos En Spokane has implemented crucial health initiatives to address disparities in healthcare access, especially for uninsured Latino populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jennyfer has championed culturally responsive care and broader healthcare reforms in Washington State, ensuring that immigrant communities receive the support they need. Through her work in health equity, economic empowerment, and immigrant advocacy, Jennyfer continues to shape Spokane into a more inclusive and supportive community for Latino and immigrant residents.

Systems Changemaker Awardee Liz Baxter

The Systems Changemaker Award recognizes a leader with remarkable sensitivity to the future and courageous determination to do what is necessary today to inspire a better tomorrow. They use strategic and pragmatic leadership as a medium to create change. And while their individual influence can move mountains, this changemaker intentionally shares power and responsibility. They understand systems change is most achievable when conducted as a collective effort and are a trusted convener and facilitator of collaborative action.

Liz Baxter is CEO of the North Sound ACH, which works to advance health, equity, social justice, and wellbeing across five counties in the northwest corner of Washington, which sit on the traditional homelands of the Coast Salish people.

Before joining North Sound ACH, Liz was Executive Director of the Oregon Public Health Institute (OPHI), an Oregon nonprofit committed to building vibrant communities of health by advancing policies, plans, and practices that address the root causes of Oregon’s most pressing health concerns. She also spent seven years as Executive Director of We Can Do Better, an Oregon nonprofit founded with former Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber, an organization that believes small groups of people can have great impact, and influence the state and national debates on health and health reform.

Liz has spent her career in executive positions that build bridges between complex policy discussions and the public’s desire to understand and weigh in on these issues. She often plays the role of “translator” of technical knowledge for those who don’t live inside the policy world. She is an innovative disruptor of policies and strategies, working to create spaces where power is shared, especially by those who most often have not had the experience of influencing decision makers.

Liz has her undergraduate degree in social work, two years of graduate study in gerontology and a Master’s Degree in Public Health.

Dean’s Leadership Awardee Trish Millines Dziko

The Dean’s Leadership Award celebrates an individual or group committed to equity, radical courage, and uncompromising servant leadership. This leader is not afraid to run against the grain where required to support human dignity, embrace diversity, and foster democratic ideals.

Trish Millines Dziko is a change agent, mentor, and advocate for children of color. In 1996 she left her successful 17 year career in the tech industry to ensure students of color had the same opportunities she had. Trish is the cofounder, Executive Director, visionary and strategist behind the Technology Access Foundation (TAF) — one of the leading education non-profits educating children of color to their full potential.

Through Trish’s leadership, TAF transitioned from out of school programs to become a statewide leader in public education, operating TAF Academy (a 6th to 12th grade, award-winning public school co-managed with the Federal Way Public School District), and created TransformED that partners with public schools to create healthy and safe learning environments that center student voice and cultivate students into socially conscious and self-aware critical thinkers, problem-solvers, ideators, creators, and leaders. In addition, Trish led TAF through the creation of the Network for EdWork designed to recruit, retain, and develop teachers of color for our Washington State public schools.

Thank you for supporting the Evans School!

The evening helped raise critical funds to support the school’s mission of educating leaders, generating knowledge, and hosting communities to co-create solutions to pressing societal problems. It’s not too late to give and support this work – gifts of every size make a difference and are greatly appreciated!

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Remembering Governor Dan Evans, ’48, ’49 and his lifetime of service and impact

Today, we join our state and the world in mourning the passing of former Governor Daniel J. Evans, ’48, ’49, a former regent, renowned statesman and tireless champion of higher education, human rights and the environment.

Dan’s service to and impact on our state is virtually without equal: he served three terms as governor, five years in the U.S. Senate, eight years in the State House of Representatives, six years as the president of Evergreen State College and twelve years on the UW Board of Regents, among many other volunteer roles within the University. In every role and in all that he did, he was unshakably committed to his values and integrity, which always served as his north star. He believed deeply in civility, mutual respect and bipartisanship, and throughout his long career in public service, he refused to sacrifice his principles for the sake of expediency or personal advancement.

The example he set for future leaders is at the heart of the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Policy & Governance, whose mission and work are driven by the public service philosophy that Dan lived by. His incredible energy and stamina were often on display at the Evans School. He continued to be active and engaged there throughout his later years, speaking at seminars and meeting individually with students and fellows. His life and legacy will remain a permanent beacon for what our students can aspire to through a career in public service.

Dan and Nancy Evans at the 1999 renaming ceremony for the School of Public Affairs

Dan’s indefatigable nature was evident in every aspect of his life, and he never tired of the beauty and majesty of the state he was devoted to. His love of unspoiled wild lands and his visionary public policy instincts were instrumental in preserving more than a million acres of forest through the Washington State Wilderness Act. He especially loved to hike the Rattlesnake Ledge trail and always relished the chance to bring others with him to enjoy its phenomenal beauty.

As governor, he led with skill and compassion, including his bold and principled commitment to welcoming immigrants to Washington. Almost 50 years ago, he declared, “You are welcome in Washington” to thousands of Vietnamese refugees seeking safe harbor. Dan’s humanity stood in contrast to the anti-immigrant stance of many other officials and set the moral standard for addressing such a humanitarian crisis.

Speaking to the 1968 Republican National Convention, Dan said, “There is no place in [the American] dream for a closed society, for a system which denies opportunity because of race, or the accident of birth, or geography or the misfortune of a family.” He will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on in our unceasing efforts to build on his work and realize his vision of an equitable American Dream. We offer our deepest condolences to the Evans family and all who loved and honored Dan’s extraordinary life of service and principled leadership.

The family has asks that gifts made in honor of Dan Evan and his legacy, be made to the Daniel J. Evans Endowment for Excellence in Public Service.

Five Questions with Vanisha Sharma

Vanisha Sharma joined the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance this summer as a postdoctoral scholar within the Evans School Policy Analysis and Research Group (EPAR). She has a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) and a Ph.D. in Applied Economics from Cornell University. Her research program focuses on the digitization of developing, rural communities. And a fun fact – former Evans faculty Brian Dillon was on Vanisha’s dissertation committee.

The Evans School sat down with Vanisha in late-summer, after she had a chance to settle into Seattle, EPAR, and the Evans School.

Evans: Great to have you join our community at the Evans School! Much of your work examines the impact of digitization and internet expansion in rural India. What drew you to this area of research?

VS: Thank you! I moved out of India for my undergraduate degree at the University of Hong Kong more than a decade ago, where I majored in Economics and double-minored in Psychology and Sociology. Every time I visited back home, I would see a slightly greater expansion of digitization as compared to when I left. The expansion started with increasing rates of adoption of mobile phones in both urban and rural areas, and then subsequently spread to applications of smartphones such as mobile payments, linking bank accounts and social security to your mobile phone, and even agricultural advisory! This fascinated me, especially since information constraints present significant barriers to economic development, and digitization, especially digital information dissemination, is a cost-effective way to potentially address this issue. That’s how I got excited about exploring the possible consequences of expanding digitization on the Indian economy!

Evans: You recently completed an impressive review of the literature examining evidence around the potential impact of digital, or data-driven, agriculture on promoting sustainable food systems. Are there any findings from this review that stood out as particularly important?

VS: I would say the most prominent finding with digitization in agriculture and food systems is the shift of focus in literature from increasing productivity to climate resilience. With the urgency of unpredictable weather shocks, in the recent years, papers have increasingly focused on strategies that not only help improve agricultural productivity, but also make agriculture and food systems more resilient to climate shocks. Another important finding was the lack of literature on digital sustainable agriculture in developing countries, many of which are expected to face the brunt of climate shocks. Due to lack of infrastructure and investment in lower income countries, most of the empirical evidence on successes of digital agriculture are skewed because the studies are conducted in the richer countries.

Evans: One of your dissertation papers used a clever experimental design that examined how social media exposure and in-person peer interactions shaped how farmers exchanged information. Tell us more about this study design.

VS: For this paper, my goal was to estimate the effect of WhatsApp usage on farm outcomes for farmers in rural India, and compare online interactions to in-person interactions. As you can imagine, self-selection into our social networks makes causal inference of social media very challenging since members of a specific social group share many other unobservable traits that can affect outcomes. To address this, I conducted a 2-stage randomized control trial design. Since farmers within each village already know each other, in the first stage, I randomized 108 villages and for the second stage, we randomly sampled 10 farmers within each village. This allowed me to create multiple WhatsApp groups for farmers from non-neighboring villages while maintaining the balance in the control and treatment arms. Given that the experiment was conducted in the midst of Covid-19, I had to take extra precautions to ensure the safety of the farmers and my enumerating team.

Evans: Were there any unexpected lessons or surprising findings in this experiment?

VS: Yes! My favorite surprising finding was that farmers who were given an opportunity to meet in-person, in addition to on WhatsApp groups, shared more market-relevant information online! This implies that having an in-person connection definitely allows for better market-related communication online, at least in the context of rural south India. Aside from the technical details of the experiment, I learned several unexpected lessons about survey design, budgeting, and managing an enumerating team of 13! The most impactful and unexpected lesson for me was the importance of working around the availability of survey respondents. In a hot and sunny location such as Madanapalle in rural south India, farmers work early mornings and late evenings. For this reason, we would leave our office at 6am every day to reach the farmers before they left for their fields, so the respondents had the cognitive capacity to respond, and this also ensured reliability of our results.

Evans: Tell us about the work you’ve started with EPAR.

VS: I’m happy to be involved in several projects at EPAR and feel so motivated to help move them forward! I’m leading a collaboration with the Borlough Institute of South Asia, where we are using spatial econometrics and machine learning to map out the costs and benefits of climate adaptation strategies, and heterogeneity in climate adaptation by gender, for all countries in South Asia. I’m also working on a project to estimate the effects of foreign aid through the Gates Foundation on inclusive agricultural transformation India. Additionally, I’m part of a team developing a data visualization tool for the Cambodian government which helps link theoretical policy predictions to real-world data to better inform policy makers as part of the 50X2030 initiative.

Evans: Thanks for chatting – welcome again to the Evans School!

VS: Thank you!

Nurturing Tomorrow’s Public Leaders: The Evans School Junior Summer Institute

The 2024 JSI cohort poses together on the steps in front of the red brick of Parrington Hall

The Evans School of Public Policy & Governance at the University of Washington, in partnership with a national program, has once again demonstrated its commitment to shaping the next generation of public policy leaders through its Junior Summer Institute (JSI). This intensive summer program offers a unique blend of academic rigor, practical experience, and inspirational encounters that prepare aspiring public servants for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Over seven weeks, JSI Scholars have been immersed in a diverse array of activities designed to broaden their understanding of public policy and governance. From engaging seminars on pressing issues like environmental justice and criminal legal reform to workshops on research design and nonprofit management, the program provides a comprehensive foundation for future policymakers.

A standout feature of the JSI program is its emphasis on hands-on community engagement. Scholars volunteered at the U-District Food Bank, putting into practice the principles of community service, and gaining firsthand experience in addressing food insecurity.

The program’s commitment to addressing contemporary issues is evident in its seminar topics. Discussions on climate-induced migration, housing insecurity, and food security highlight the institute’s focus on preparing scholars for the complex, interconnected challenges of our time. By bringing in experts from various fields, including representatives from nonprofit organizations and government agencies, the program ensures that the Scholars receive a well-rounded perspective on these critical issues.

One of the hallmarks of the JSI program is its emphasis on real-world perspectives. The institute has hosted numerous panels featuring distinguished alumni, seasoned professionals, and current policymakers. These sessions offer the Scholars invaluable insights into various career paths and the realities of working in public service. For instance, a panel on city administration brought together officials from Tacoma and Kirkland, providing students with a ground-level view of local governance challenges and triumphs.

A particularly impactful component of the JSI experience is the opportunity for the Scholars to engage directly with high-level public officials. The field trip to Seattle City Hall exemplifies this, where scholars had the chance to meet with Mayor Bruce Harrell and participate in discussions with Deputy Mayor Adiam Emery and other city leaders. Such experiences not only inspire but also provide tangible examples of public service leadership in action.

The JSI program also recognizes the importance of practical skills in policy work. Workshops on law and op-ed writing, crafting public service narratives, and career development equip scholars with tools essential for effective communication and professional growth in the public sector.

Throughout the program, the value of diversity and inclusion in public policy is consistently emphasized. Panels and discussions frequently touch on the importance of considering multiple perspectives, addressing racial disparities, and ensuring equitable approaches in policy-making. This focus prepares the Scholars to navigate the complex social landscape they will encounter in their future roles.

Junior Summer Institute is more than just an academic experience. It’s a transformative journey that challenges the Scholars to think critically about public policy issues, exposes them to the realities of public service, and inspires them to make a difference in their communities.

The Evans School’s JSI program stands as a testament to the power of experiential learning in public policy education. By combining academic rigor with real-world exposure and community service, the program not only prepares scholars for future careers but also instills in them a deep sense of purpose and commitment to public service.

As these Scholars move forward in their academic and professional journeys, they carry with them not just knowledge and skills, but also a network of peers, mentors, and inspirational figures who will continue to support and guide them. The Junior Summer Institute is planting the seeds for a new generation of innovative, compassionate, and effective public servants who will shape tomorrow’s policies.

Celebrating the Life of Chandler Gayton, MPA ’22

Beloved by faculty and fellow classmates, the Evans School community grieves the loss of 2022 MPA graduate and dedicated public leader, Chandler Walker Gayton. Chandler passed away on July 20, 2024, at the age of 33 due to injuries sustained while riding his motorcycle.

Chandler truly exemplified the Evans School’s values of equity, courage and service. “This kind of loss hits a community very deeply,” shared Dean Jodi Sandfort. “To have a leader with such potential who is taken from us so soon leaves a significant mark. I will hold tight to my memories of our conversations on the steps to Parrington—about our shared work, about how his courses were preparing him to make a difference, and about the changemaking work he was already leading in the region.”

Before shifting into a career in the public sector, Chandler showcased his leadership skills on the football field and in local real estate. He was captain of the O’Dea High School football team and went on to play in college at Simon Fraser University in B.C where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Faculty of Communication, Art, and Technology. He returned to Seattle after graduation to earn his real estate brokers’ license and work for Windemere Real Estate Company.

In 2017, Chandler took on the role of one of three legislative aides under legendary civil rights leader and King County Councilmember Larry Gossett. Chandler handled government and public affairs matters, which he regarded as highly challenging and rewarding. After Councilmember Gossett’s retirement, Chandler began working for Councilmember Girmay Zahilay, focusing on community outreach and communications, particularly in the Skyway area of unincorporated King County. His primary focus was working on affordable housing and land use, where he was extremely successful. He was encouraged and supported to pursue his MPA while working for Gossett and Zahilay, and he was awarded the Dr. Constance W. and Norman B. Rice Endowed Graduate Fellowship.

Beginning in 2023, Chandler’s primary professional role was as a strategic advisor for public safety in Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell’s office. His job involved community outreach and communications, which he thoroughly enjoyed. He had also started to explore the possibility of running for office.

Chandler was a Seattle native with a deep commitment to his community. He served on the Board of Homestead Community Land Trust, which creates stability, equity and opportunity by developing land and housing in trust, giving lower-income households the opportunity to own a home that remains affordable. He also served on the Treehouse for Kids Young Professionals Board and was a mentor for several students in his local community.

What shone through most in the memories shared by family, friends, and colleagues at his celebration of life on August 15 was Chandler’s kindness, consideration of others, and his adventurous spirit. May his memory serve as an inspiration to future generations of public service leaders.

The Evans School extends our deepest condolences to the Gayton family, who have been involved with the Evans School and UW for decades. Chandler’s father, Carver Gayton (BA ‘60, MPA ’72, Ph.D. ‘76) is an alum, former staff and faculty member, and served on the Evans School’s Advisory Committee and numerous other volunteer leadership positions across the UW.

To read more or share a memory, please visit Chandler’s memorial page.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of the following:

Chandler Walker Gayton Scholarship Fund at O'Dea High School in Seattle, WA

Chandler Walker Gayton Legacy Fund at Renton Innovation Zone Partnership (RIZP)

UW, WSU Launch New Program to Bolster Collaboration Among Local Public Leaders

It’s no secret that trust in governance is faltering. A recent Gallup poll found that only 39% of Americans trust the federal government. And though trust is higher in state and local governments (57% and 66%, respectively), we know there is an opportunity to plant seeds at the local level to improve civic health.

To respond to this moment, the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance and the William D. Ruckelshaus Center (WSU)—in collaboration with the Association of Washington Cities—are partnering to launch the Washington Collaborative Elected Leaders Institute (WA-CELI), a new program that aims to bolster the credibility of elected officials with the public they serve.

The Project for Civic Health, initiated by Lt. Governor Denny Heck, highlighted the need for unique support for elected officials to work together across political divides. This inspired the creation of WA-CELI to build the skills and courage needed for collaborative problem-solving.

“We brought together 200 people and said ‘we know what the problem is. What could we do?’” said Jodi Sandfort, dean of the Evans School. “The elected officials said, ‘we need some help building skills to disagree without being disagreeable.’ To me, it’s pretty clear that what’s failing us right now is that people have learned that to get elected, you have to be extreme. They haven’t learned that when you govern, you have to compromise.”

As two of the premier public universities in the state, WSU and UW are uniquely positioned to help elected officials reach across political divides and work together. Drawing on the expertise from both schools, the program includes applied training and peer learning that focuses on building a network of public leaders with collaborative leadership skills. The goal is to reshape Washington’s political culture to create a more collaborative and community-focused environment.

“We’re going to use a lot of case studies. Say it’s a conflict about a local issue around public safety or a conflict about a local issue about environmental protection and just having practice of how to sit and look at the case and figure out what are the issues and simulate what it’s like to try to come up with a solution,” Dean Sandfort noted. “Part of it is building better relationships and having experiences that help them feel more confident in their ability to analyze a problem and think through how we’re going to create a solution that adds value rather than just a solution that might be politically palatable.”

This summer, the first cohort of leaders from a mix of city sizes, types, and government structures is participating in virtual and in-person events across Washington state. Costs of attendance are covered to ensure accessibility for all. To further highlight connection across division, venues for the in-person sessions were intentionally chosen to play with people’s perceptions of where WSU and UW have influence in the state. The first in-person session was held July 27 at the UW Spokane Center, and a future session will be held at WSU’s Everett campus, across the street from Everett Community College.

The goal of this program is for public leaders to come away with new skills to collaborate with people they don’t necessarily agree with. Graduates will join a network of public leaders, staying connected through events and additional training. This network aims to support a shift towards a more collaborative political culture in Washington. Participants will also present their work at the annual AWC conference to engage and inspire future cohorts.

JSI Scholar: Richie Doan

Pronouns: He/Him
Hometown: Renton, Washington
College/University: University of Washington
Major: Computer Science; Global & Regional Studies
Track: Regional

Tell us about your story

I am a third-year majoring in computer science and international studies. I grew up not knowing much about the intricacies of programming. However, my time at the University of Washington has allowed me to explore the potential of software development. During this time, I have also become interested in exploring the social impact of technology. As such, this has led me down research initiatives pertaining to cybersecurity, which often touches on both the technicalities of software development as well as public policy issues.

What made you consider a career in public policy/public service/international affairs?

During my time at UW, I had taken a few international affairs courses through the Jackson School just out of curiosity. Since taking these classes, I have only become more fascinated with the dialogue and ideas that are exchanged in this space.

The problems tackled in international affairs are never simple, and pragmatic solutions are often never clear-cut. I continue to pursue this discipline because it constantly pushes my thinking to consider deeper nuances and appreciate different perspectives.

Who inspires you to think about public service?

The internet and social media, which nowadays is perpetually teeming with public service discourse.

What are you most excited about the JSI program at UW?

I am most excited to interact with my peers and engage in meaningful and thought-provoking dialogue.

JSI Scholar: Zia Meyers

Pronouns: She/Her
Hometown: Denver, Colorado
College/University: Gonzaga University
Major: Sociology
Track: Residential

Tell us about your story

I’m from Denver, CO, and I moved to Spokane, WA three years ago to pursue my degree in Sociology from Gonzaga University. I love to be outside, read, and learn about the goings-on around the globe. I’m passionate about trying to make the world a better place and understanding why things happen the way they happen.

What path did you take when you first started college?

I was initially enrolled in a lot of political science classes and really enjoyed them. I was introduced to sociology by a mentor of mine, and since then have been eagerly taking every opportunity to explore how social structures shape our reality.

What made you consider a career in public policy/public service/international affairs?

I love thinking about the broader influences of structures on our system of government and our community building, and public policy seems to be a union of these things. I also appreciate public service as an integral part to community building which I consider a crucial step in promoting social justice and equity.

Who inspires you to think about public service?

My mom inspires me to think about public service.

What are you most excited about the JSI program at UW?

I am excited to better understand all the various influences that shape public policy while being immersed in a community of other learners who are also passionate this.

JSI Scholar: Ayanna Hill

Pronouns: She/Her
Hometown: Mansfield, Texas
College/University: Tulane University
Major: International Relations & Business Management
Track: Residential

Tell us about your story

Hello, I Ayanna Hill, am a rising senior from a city right outside of Dallas, TX. I seek to explore and better the world around me through furthering my education and working to serve my local and global community. Known as Ms. Worldwide by many of my friends and family, I have explored various countries through my collegiate career, and as the first in my family to leave the U.S. I have used that time to further my interest in International Affairs and studying the Afro-Diaspora throughout Latin America. Upon graduation, I seek to pursue a career in International Affairs through either the federal government or non-profit organizations.

What path did you take when you first started college?

Before entering college I had three main goals;

Pursue a major in International Relations
Study abroad
Be active on campus.

When I entered my university I was selected to join a scholar program that helped outline the path I would take for the next four years at my university. Through this program I selected two distinct majors: International Relations and Business Management which I pursued alongside intensive language courses. These courses prepared me for a year aboard which is a cornerstone of the scholar program and through my collegiate experience I have been fortunate to study abroad in 4 different countries, Mexico, Colombia, Spain, and the Dominican Republic.

What made you consider a career in public policy/public service/international affairs?

Growing up my family was always very tuned in to the political climate of the nation, with news channels consistently playing when I entered the home. This established my awareness of politics, but it was not until high school and I joined my school’s debate team that I truly began to establish my interest in a career within the field of international affairs. I was pushed to research and establish opinions on a wide range of domestic and international topic areas, which allowed me to become engrossed in the field which I then decided to major in when I went to high school. I dreamed of working in the government to make change in the areas I debated and changing the world around me for the better.

Who inspires you to think about public service?

My family and every new community I establish myself in both within the U.S. and abroad.

What are you most excited about the JSI program at UW?

A major reason I wanted to participate in the program at UW specifically was the emphasis that UW places on providing opportunities for students to see the effects of public policy within the Washington area through interacting with those communities. Thus, I truly look forward to witnessing how the courses that I take are then reflected in the community around me. I also am really excited to learn more about the Seattle area, as I have never had the opportunity to explore the Pacific Northwest.