Current Students
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After growing up in Corvallis, I ventured to Utah where I completed my undergraduate studies in public health. In 2009, I began the MPH program at Oregon State and concurrently entered the Public Policy program in the summer of 2010. My focus with these degrees is in international health policy. In November of 2010 I had the opportunity to participate in the First Global Symposium on Health Systems Research in Switzerland. This furthered my interests in health systems and international policy and strengthened my desire to achieve universal health coverage, particularly in the U.S. Outside of school, I teach fitness classes in Corvallis and recently starting working for the Marion County Health Department doing tobacco prevention.
I am originally from Oregon and I obtained my B.A. in Sociology from Oregon State University. During my undergraduate career I worked on research projects and co-authored a book chapter on William Chambliss for the Fifty Key Thinkers in Criminology (Inderbitzin & Boyd, 2009). Also during my career as an undergraduate I participated in the regional sociology conference at the Pacific Sociological Association and served as a student voice on department committees and on diversity panels for the Liberal Arts College. I also took advantage of the opportunity to intern at the Department of Human Services Child Welfare, and it was through this experience that I learned about the true importance, and implications, of policy.
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I grew up in northeastern Oregon and, except for a year on foreign exchange in Germany, have spent my life living in different parts of the state. I attended the University of Oregon and majored in political science with minors in German and environmental studies. I made an effort to explore as many aspects of my major as possible, but the most significant focus of my experience was environmental politics and policy. I am a McNair scholar and wrote my undergraduate thesis on U.S. coal subsidies and their effect on carbon dioxide emissions. Creighton, Jason
Croom III, Howard |
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Crowley-Hall, Corey I grew up in Northern Idaho in the college town of Moscow. As an undergrad I went to Linfield College up in McMinnville where I majored in political science. During that time I was fortunate enough to have many eye opening experiences traveling to Mexico, Australia, and Ecuador. After graduating from Linfield I went back to Idaho to work on the US Senate campaign in Idaho for Larry LaRocco. After the campaign I decided it was time to go to graduate school, and here I am.
5 years back, I started my career as an assistant in banking profession. Over the years, I got entrenched with the corporate sector holding a good position with the leading bank in Nepal. I had made up my mind to continue with banking as a long-term profession until I got the USAID scholarship this year. I am one of the 31 candidates from various parts of the world, who are selected for Women’s Leadership Training in Economics (WLTIE) Program. I find lucky to have been selected for MPP program at OSU. I had no expectations before arriving at the US but now I see a dream of working in my country helping people at various levels in terms of education, development, gender issues, political and social issues. The past few weeks of education at OSU have been challenging for me, as I have come from a different background (though worked in economic sector) and a different education system after all. I feel privileged to be a part of MPP Program under the guidance of experienced faculty at OSU. I am interested in International Policy, Rural Policy and Environmental Policy. Not to miss, few years down the lane, I find myself working with organizations helping people upbring their daily living standards, to bring positive changes in the society. Personally, I love making large circle of good friends and am fond of travelling (which has started with my journey to the US on Sept 13, 2009). I like to get updated with news, I love reading novels, I always wanted to be a sporty person but my sleep takes away all the morning and I love being with my family and friends. I have come to this diverse country with an open mind and I hope to take all the good things back to my country after 2 years. Dickinson, Kelly Originally from north Idaho, I ventured to Hawaii Pacific University where I majored in marine biology. While studying in Hawaii offered amazing experiences and opportunities, I realized it wasn't quite for me so I transferred to Oregon State University to finish my undergraduate career. I received my B.S. in 2003 with a degree in Environmental Science and an option in Natural Resource and Environmental Law and Policy and I've been in Corvallis ever since. I enjoy going to the Saturday Farmer's Market, shopping at locally-owned businesses, going to summer festivals, and cheering on the Corvallis Knights baseball team. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, discovering new music, sewing and knitting, making freezer jam, taking pictures, hiking, and exploring Oregon. I am currently a volunteer on the Environmental Issues Advisory Committee for the Benton County Board of Commissioners. This position confirmed my research interests in environmental policy and sociology, local and state issues, and community participation and engagement. Other areas of interest include local food systems, coastal issues, and Native American philosophy. In the MPP program, I will be focusing on the Environmental track and minoring in Rural Studies. I completed my undergrad in Sociology at OSU and after having heard of the MPP program from previous students like Seth Crawford, Aaron Phillips and Zack Reeves came to the conclusion that for environmental and energy policy issues this was the place to be. |
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Fellows, Holly I was born and raised on California’s central coast in the small agricultural community of Gonzales. Before coming to OSU I received my bachelor’s degree in City and Regional Planning from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo. My studies at Cal Poly focused on urban growth management, agricultural preservation and transportation planning. I’ve worked as a city planner for several communities in California on a wide range of projects from downtown revitalization to historic resource preservation. Here at the MPP program I am focusing on rural policy and plan to continue working on policy issues related to community and regional development. Oregon’s innovative land use and growth management policies make OSU an ideal place for me to complete my research and graduate studies.
Before setting out on the Oregon Trail, I received my BA in Writing from Grand Valley State University in Michigan where I specialized in poetry, fiction, environmental nonfiction, and grantwriting. During my time as an undergrad, I led several wilderness trips in Northern Michigan for girls from my hometown of Flint, MI. Through these experiences, I began to understand the influence that environment has on society and social programs and outreach activities, especially for inner city youth. After completing my Bachelor's, I wanted to find new adventure in a place where the mecca of sport climbing wasn't too far and I could run the trails to my heart's content. I am so excited to be a part of the MPP program here at Oregon State and experience Pacific Northwest culture.
Misty Freeman is a first year MPP student studying Rural Policy and Social Policy. She is interested in policymaking and policy analysis as it relates to human services programs in rural communities. In particular, Misty is concerned with improving outcomes for children and families and is studying how we administer social services programs, how we evaluate our success, and how we make such programs better.
Hi! I am Narbada Ghimire from Nepal.I am primary level school teacher by profession. I have worked in various international and national institutions opened for orphan and disadvantaged children as a teacher.I always feel, I am obliged to do as much as I can for the destitute and hapless people living a very difficult life in my country. Hence, I consider MPP a venue to materialise my dream and I expect to train myself through this course to achieve that goal. |
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I have lived, but now I want to know how to live. I want to attain a sense of focus that will open me to my fullest potential. I want to fan that spark of curiosity and learn from everything and everyone I am surrounded. I am surrounded by people that want to change the world for the greater good. I look around and see that spark in the eyes of my cohort and hope it catches. I want to harness that potential and push through the dirt of human suffering and catch the light of wisdom. This is what brought me here. This is what I harbor deep within that led me to plot my course through the Masters of Public Policy program at Oregon State University. I have no elaborate design for my future, but whatever I do, I hope to do it with knowledge and compassion in honor of the principles that bind us together for the greater good. Given the trends of globalization, interdependence and a growing populous, the demand for resource management, constructive communication, and organizational flexibility is becoming more important. I came into academia with an interest in how to apply the theories of social psychology to generate a more cohesive organizational body. Over the past three years I have been developing a background in emergency management and applied anthropology to learn how these issues can be addressed. I earned a Bachelor of Science at the University of North Texas in Emergency Administration, volunteered with the Red Cross, participated in a Research Experience for Undergraduates program in anthropology. I have studied international disaster in Turkey and conducted research on Hurricane Katrina. I want to become a “social engineer,” so I searched for a program in public policy. Interested in the social aspects of resource management and international conflict resolution, I looked for a program that focused on land/water use and social policy on an international level. I came to Oregon State University for the education, the values, and the chance to grow and become a better member of the global community.
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Born in Bolivia, a country that is well known for its diversity in cultures and geography, I was raised Santa Cruz de la Sierra, a city known for its vast natural resources, green landscape, and entrepreneurial activities. Spending my time in the rural countryside during my summers in high school and then working for a private non-profit organization made me aware of the big gap in the access of knowledge, resources, and services between rural areas and cities. Before leaving Bolivia two years ago, I joined a recycling project in a rural town. That experience triggered my interest in issues related to the environment, conservation, and sustainable development in my country, in particular in rural towns and peripheral areas of cities. I feel strongly that the MPP program can provide me with the knowledge and experience that I need in these matters. I plan to focus on issues related to climate change, adaptive capacity and development of communities, and comparative policies. My dream is to earn experience here and some day work around the world in environmental/conservationist issues in particular in developing countries like Bolivia. Besides academic activities, I enjoy the idea of exploring Oregon, learning new cooking recipes, watching foreign/independent movies, reading literature, planning backpacking experiences, and practicing poi spinning.
I was born and raised in Elmira, Oregon on the same farm my family settled in 1851. After graduating High School I spent the next four years at Oregon State studying History and Political Science. I worked my way through college for the beverage company that had employed me since I was 15, and by selling firewood off the family farm.
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Juarez, Benjamin |
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My name is Stuty and I am from Nepal. I was very glad when I got through the Public Policy program in OSU as my country is going through a political & social transition and I think that this program will enable me to intellectually comprehend contemporary social issues through a broad exposure to the humanities and social sciences. I am happy to have classmates from diverse educational background (also from various parts, within outside of USA) and a resourceful & encouraging set of faculty. In these two years I wish to make up for the lack of exposure to the social sciences in the Nepali education system, and prepare myself to intellectually demanding job openings.
Before starting the MPP program I graduated with a degree in Political Science from Allegheny College. After graduation, I spent the summer in Pittsburgh and then packed my car and drove cross-country to serve as the AmeriCorps member for Corvallis Parks and Recreation's Youth Volunteer Corps 2009-2010. I felt like I found my home in Oregon and was excited to go back to school at OSU. My concentration is education policy, which is a subset of social policy. The issue that most interests me in K-12 education is the achievement gap and I plan to do research around funding models and their effects on that gap. I also enjoy my graduate assistant position assisting in the Student Affairs Research and Evaluation department. Outside of MPP work I like to play hard, too. Oregon has helped bring out my inner adventurer. I think my favorite things from this summer were camping at Crater Lake, biking pretty much everywhere, and swimming down the Willamette River with my friends. Volunteering is also important to me and I have a lot of fun cooking at the soup kitchen once a week. I am so happy to be somewhere that fulfills and challenges me both academically and personally.
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Moon, Ruby [no picture] I grew up in a fishing community. I spent a good portion of my childhood on the back of a fishing boat. My dad was a deck hand until he retired recently. I spent 16 years of my life as a Head Start Lead Teacher/Family Advocate working with children and families in my community. I loved what I did. I was good at it. I could have stayed there and been happy, but I got this unbelievable opportunity to go back to school thanks to the generosity of the Ford Family Foundation. So I quit my job, loaded up a backpack and headed off for Oregon State University. It was the scariest thing I ever did. I am a mother of 5 and it had been 20 years since I was a full time student, but I refused to let my fear hold me back. I took a chance and gambled on myself. I guess it was a good bet, because I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS degree in Human Development and made it into graduate school. I now have the opportunity to study the things I’m interested in and take that knowledge back to my community. I live in a rural portion of Lincoln County. Ocean issues are a very real topic currently impacting the area. I have been a student intern with Sea Grant/ Extension since March of 2010 and plan to continue working there through graduate school. I’ve been learning about the relevant fishing issues, while actively working in the field. I plan to use my time in the MPP program studying environmental policy with a minor in rural studies. |
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Born and raised on San Juan Island in Washington State I moved down to Corvallis in 2003 to attend Oregon State University. After graduating in 2007 with a Bachelors Degree in Political Science I got a job working for State Senator Diane Rosenbaum. Over the past few years I have had some amazing opportunities to work on many important policy issues, including the creation of a state paid family and medical leave program, an expansion in eligibility and access for low income women to breast and cervical cancer services, and an increase in Oregon’s Earned Income Tax Credit. I was interested in OSU’s Public Policy program when I finished my undergrad but figured a break for work was a good idea. Now I am interested in expanding my understanding of the many social policy issues our society is faced with and look forward to combining my experience working in the legislature with my work pursuing an MPP in Social Policy.
I am from Nepal, a beautiful country that has suffered a decade long insurgency, and is still going through political and economic instability. I didn't think much about these issues while growing up, but after working with communities where people were fighting for their survival made me realize that I wanted to be a part of development. |
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Phillips, Aaron A native Oregonian and born Beaver Believer, Aaron Phillips received a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Oregon State University in 2007. After an internship with the nonpartisan and nonprofit voter education organization Project Vote Smart (http://votesmart.org), he decided to continue academically in the Master of Public Policy program at OSU. Aaron recently completed an internship with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, through Portland State University’s Exceptional Summer Internship Program, where he conducted policy analysis and procedure redesign to determine the feasibility of implementing an electronic certification process for the department. |
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My love for historic homes means that in my free time I’m usually refinishing a floor, wiring a light or working on a tile project. My husband and I are the owners of two historic homes in Albany’s Hackleman and Monteith historic districts. We are raising our two small daughters, five-year-old Savannah, and three-year-old Madeline, in the Chamberlain House, named after Governor, and later U.S. Senator, George Chamberlain. We fell in love with and bought the house, an 1884 Stick Victorian, two years ago and have been slowly rehabilitating it since. Our second house, which we lovingly refer to as “the project house,” is an 1877 Victorian Cottage currently undergoing a total and complete overhaul. For the last two years I have had the great fortune to work as Urban Renewal Manager for the City of Albany, a job that allows me not only to work for the community I love, but to guide the revitalization of our historic urban core. My work is comprised of the trifecta of attributes that anyone strives for in a job: it is diverse, rewarding, and challenging. I have the opportunity to interact with a wide array of people and organizations—from large developers to architects to urban planners. I believe in giving back to my community. I run the Friends of Historic Albany (FOHA) group, an organization committed to historic preservation and the sharing of knowledge. FOHA acts as an advocate for historic properties and is the resident voice in Albany’s preservation program and policy planning. Additionally, I serve on the Association of Oregon Renewal Agencies Executive Board and am currently participating in the International City Management Association’s two-year Emerging Leader Program. In striving for a better community, both in my professional career and in my personal life, I try to balance a respect for the past while ensuring a quality future through solid decisions that will guide our community forward. For it does not escape me that the buildings we build now, the decisions we make, and the policies we set today will be visible, palpable, in our community for decades to come. |
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Reeves, Zachary Growing up here in Corvallis, I lived in an environmentally conscious community. As a result, I was always aware of it, and took an early interest in conservation. It remained in the background of my life, however, until after I was finished with college. After graduating with a degree in philosophy, I moved to Portland, and worked for two sides of the policy arena, the government and a NGO. Doing work for the Forest Service and for Trout Unlimited interested me in policy and how these organizations function. After living in New Zealand for two years, I came home with two interests: policy and the environment. OSU provided the perfect combination of the two, and here I am.
My name is Becky Rubenstrunk and was born and raised in Tempe, Arizona. I attended Arizona State University as an undergraduate where I received my BS in Restoration Ecology and a minor and certificate in Philosophy and Ethics, respectively. Although I did not study policy, I had several policy-related experiences, including a legislative research internship (I staffed the House Committee on Water and Energy at the Arizona House of Representatives) and a consensus-based housing policy retreat with Arizona Town Hall. |
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I was born and raised in Beaverton, Oregon. Growing up in Northwestern Oregon had many benefits; specifically it provided many options for outdoors enthusiast. From a young age my Father would take my Brothers and I into the Cascade Mountains of Western Oregon where we would go hiking, backpacking, rafting, skiing, and cycling. As I got older these childhood experiences formed my passion for environmental preservation. Today, I am still an avid outdoorsman and you would most likely find me in the mountains skiing or mountaineering in my free time. I attended Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington for my undergraduate degree and majored in Political Science and History. My emphasis was on environmental history and I wrote my thesis on the development of Scientific Forestry in Prussia in the 19th century and the spread of that system to India and the United States. It was the combination of my passion for environmental preservation and my academic experiences that led me to the Public Policy program at Oregon State University. My focus in the MPP program is on the policy ramifications of climate change in the Pacific Northwest (PNW). I hope to work towards a sustainable future in the PNW and believe that policies combined with education can shape such a future. “God has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches, and a thousand straining, leveling tempests and floods, but he cannot save them from fools- only Uncle Sam can do that." - John Muir (Our National Parks, 1901) |
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Sorce, Evan [no picture] Born in Glendale California, I moved to West Linn a suburb south of Portland as a child. I graduate from West Linn High in 2006, and decided to go to Western Oregon University. At Western Oregon University I got passionately involved in the student government and student issues often lobbying on the behalf of students at a statewide level. This involvement eventually culminated in my election as the President of the Student Body. I graduate from Western Oregon in June of 2010 receiving a bachelor of science in political science.
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I am from the San Francisco Bay Area, where I gained over 10 years of experience in environmental justice (EJ) advocacy and nonprofit management. Before coming to OSU, I worked as a research analyst for the EJ Coalition for Water studying the links between agricultural pesticides and severe health problems in low-income rural communities in California's Central Valley. Prior to this, I was the Campaign Director at Project Underground, an international NGO, where I led corporate campaigns to stop destructive oil and mining operations in countries of the Global South. In this capacity, I had the privilege of traveling to Nigeria, Ecuador, and Indonesia, working with local grassroots organizations facing the adverse environmental impacts of these industries. I also worked as the EJ Program Manager at the DataCenter, where I provided strategic research and analysis for campaigns addressing resource extraction and processing issues affecting communities of color and low-income communities. In particular, I developed deep and long-term ties with indigenous communities, including the Hopi and Navajo tribes in Arizona, Western Shoshone tribe in Nevada, and Alaska Native communities. While at the DataCenter, I wrote reports that were published in Colorlines magazine, Race Poverty & the Environment, and the Journal on Environmental Education.
I grew up in California, am a former Mathematics Major, and enjoy good beer and good company and good chats about politics from any perspective.
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Vazquez, M. Dolores I was born in Mexico City, raised in Chiapas and Sonora (south and north Mexico respectively). Moving from one place to another exposed me to a diverse array of environments that established the core in all what I do. After completing a BS in Biotechnology at the Sonora Institute of Technology (ITSON) I worked four years as research assistant at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). Much of my work was focused on technology transfer, working as link between research institutes, grower's unions, industry and government plus carrying out other required research activities. The experience gained working at CIMMYT developed my interest in breeding, economics and politics all together synonym for me of food production. In 2010 I got a Master Degree in Crop Science from OSU with a concentration in wheat genetics and plant pathology. Currently I am pursuing dual a Master in Public Policy along a PhD in Crop Science. My goal: To combine scientific background with understanding of the decision making process in agriculture for developed and developing countries. My dream: One day be part of such decision making process with a solid understanding of how the food production system works to be able to take the best decisions. My favorite hobby: having fun with my friends on a regular basis. |
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Completing my BS in sociology, I was thrilled to discover that the master’s program I wanted was right here in my backyard. Twenty-five years ago I started my education—only to have it interrupted by circumstances beyond my control. About four years ago the opportunity to finish presented itself. I started in accounting, then switched to technical writing, and finally to sociology. Studying people, their habits, motivations, and actions was infinitely more interesting to me than manipulating numbers or interpreting technical data for a specific audience. That schooling won’t be wasted, however, because those skills are useful in any career. It seems to be a natural progression from studying groups of people to public policy. Public policies have ramifications for all of us, and I am extremely interested in discovering how policy is shaped and ultimately how it becomes a reality. I am attracted to social programs and civil rights issues. The MPP program will give me the skills and experience necessary to possibly help shape public policy in those areas. I am excited to have a new administration under which we can expect new ideas and directions. |
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Kellie is originally from Texas, but has been in Oregon since 1993 and has very much enjoyed her time here. She completed her undergraduate work at Southern Oregon University, and after graduation spent 3 years working for the Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program, where she witnessed the effects of the program on the lives of participants and became aware of the value of public service grant programs. She is interested in social policy with a focus on education. Currently she is a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Sociology Department.
Wang, Hua I come from Hangzhou, a medium-size city near Shanghai known for its natural beauty in China. I finished my undergraduate study with BA in English. After college, I worked as a Chinese Language Teacher in South Korea for one year and then worked in international trade in Shanghai for three years. Growing up in rural China, I could understand the hardship of the less fortunate. And through those years I feel a strong urge to make a difference. That’s why I am on the MPP program to prepare myself for career in public service. Currently I am interested in international development and economic policy. I am excited to be a member in the closely-connected community full of passion, and believe I will have an enjoyable and rewarding experience here!
I was born in San Francisco and raised in a small town in Northern California called Grass Valley. After getting a degree in Political Science from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, I was offered a graduate assistant position in the recreational sports department at OSU. Luckily for me, the position gives me the opportunity to be a part of the MPP program and to pursue my academic interests in international policy and political development.
Growing up in rural Oregon, I wanted nothing more than to move as far away as possible from sheep and grass seed. After 8 years of living in the city, traveling through 14 countries and working in Latin America, however, I’ve come to realize, that rural life is simply a part of who I am. I graduated from George Fox University in 2005 with a B.A. in Studio Art and a minor in Writing. I also did two years of post-baccalaureate work at Portland State University in Women’s Studies, Political Science and International Studies. My interest has always been in women’s issues, and my time at the Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence as Legal Advocate here in Corvallis has helped me narrow that interest to safety issues surrounding domestic violence, sexual assault and trafficking in rural environments. I also have an interest in women lead peace movements and reconciliation. Outside of school, my interests are long-distance running, hiking, backpacking and reading. I’ve also recently discovered the joy of digging around in the dirt and harvesting what I manage to grow there. I am very much looking forward to the opportunity to work in and give back to the rural communities in Oregon – the culture I know, the people I relate to and the environment I love. I was born in Wyoming, grew up in Colorado, and lived in the Monterey Bay area of California for seven years before moving to Oregon. I received my B.A. in Psychology from Chapman University in California. I am interested in human motivation and behavior as it relates to Environmental Policy both nationally and internationally.
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Babbel, Breannon
Bene, Heather
Boyd, Heather
Clark, William 
Donin, Daniel
Fishler, Hillary
Freeman, Misty
Ghimire, Narbada 
Green, Alastair 
Gregory, Sarah 
Herren-Mooney, Carla
Kawanaka, Emi 
Maskey, Stuty
Mattison, Chrysanthemum
Merritt, Terence
Miaso, John 
Osborne, Megan
Pant, Suman
Porsche, Kate
Rubenstrunk, Becky
Runberg, Damon
Tucker, Ashley
Vandeventer, Alexia
Veritas, Kathleen
Waddell, Trevor
Weston, Daniel
Wood, Zach
Wornell, Emily
Young, Ryan