Taylor Owens, Criminal Justice Major, Named Udall Scholar

Two University of Washington students, one from UW Tacoma, have been named 2020 Udall Scholars. Taylor Owens and Sierra Campbell join only 55 students nationally to receive this prestigious honor.

UW Tacoma’s Taylor Owens is a Criminal Justice major, minoring in American Indian Studies, and a descendant of the Squaxin Island Tribe who hopes to use restorative justice to strengthen Native American communities. She has been working as a Tobacco Cessation Specialist for her tribe for almost two years developing innovative public health programming. She is also interning for the Department of Justice as a Legal Assistant focused on Indian Country cases. Seeing a need in her community, she has been organizing an annual Youth Education, Career, and Recruitment Fair that connects Native youth to post-secondary education and career opportunities. After graduating from UW Tacoma, she plans to pursue a Master's in Public Administration with the goal of working in tribal government. 

UW Seattle student Sierra Campbell is a junior majoring in Education with a minor in Communities and Environmental Studies. She is an enrolled citizen of the Apsáalooke Nation, and says it is important for her to pursue a degree and utilize it toward supporting Native American communities. She has learned how to analyze data, interpret scientific findings and conduct quantitative research, which can be used to engage with environments under a Western science lens. Her career goal is to be in a healthcare position that supports the holistic wellbeing of Native American communities. She is also interested in learning and working with communities on topics such as environmental justice and food sovereignty.

“I hope to reach these goals by working with communities in programs that address the holistic health and wellbeing of Native American youth by integrating cultural and environmental components,” Campbell said. “Throughout my life, I have been supported by various Native American communities and thus want to dedicate my professional career to do the same.”

Fifty-five students from 48 colleges and universities have been selected as 2020 Udall Scholars. A 16-member independent review committee selected this year's group of Udall Scholars on the basis of commitment to careers in the environment, Native health care, or Tribal public policy; leadership potential; record of public service; and academic achievement. The review committee also awarded 55 Honorable Mentions.

Each scholarship provides up to $7,000 for the Scholar’s junior or senior year. Since the first awards in 1996, the Udall Foundation has awarded 1,733 scholarships totaling $8,860,000.

The 2020 Udall Scholars plan to assemble August 4-9 in Tucson, Arizona, to meet one another and program alumni; learn more about the Udall legacy of public service; and interact with community leaders in environmental fields, Tribal health care and governance.

(Read the original story at UW News.)