EMMA REDMAN: A TRUMAN FINALIST AND TRUE PUBLIC SERVANT
BY LUNA MCCUSKER, A JUNIOR MAJORING IN POLITICAL ECONOMY
In sitting down with Emma Redman, it is immediately clear why she was named as a finalist for the prestigious Truman Scholarship—she has a passion for public service. Growing up in Meridian, Idaho, her mother, a public school first-grade teacher, and her father, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service, instilled within Redman the importance of serving the needs of one’s community. Redman, a junior with a double major in biology and political economy, spent last summer in Hailey, Idaho, teaching in the College’s Summer Bridge program, which combines education with traditional summercamp experiences for at-risk students. She also currently serves as vice president of student government at the College as well as a resident assistant and a student ambassador. While she values all of her roles, she’s most proud of leading Public Sphere—a campus club that fosters meaningful dialogue between students and faculty on policy issues. “I feel really proud of the conversations we’ve fostered and encouraged on campus,” says Redman. In reflecting on her work with Public Sphere, Redman fondly recalls her high school government and debate teacher, who introduced her to the world of helping others through the power of policy. “He also provided me with a saying that has driven me ever since,” she says. “Try hard. Be kind.” This genuine love for investing in her community led Redman to express her interest to College faculty in pursuing the Truman Scholarship, the premier graduate school scholarship for students interested in public service. The Truman Scholarship dates back to 1975, when President Gerald Ford signed the Act of Congress to award scholarships to persons who demonstrate outstanding potential for a career in public service. This scholarship was created in honor of President Harry S. Truman’s vision for a program for students that would encourage educated citizenship and political responsibility. Each year, four applicants may apply from a higher education institution, and Redman was chosen from the College. The process of applying is intensive, requiring multiple essays and letters of recommendation and an interview if selected as a finalist. “The process of applying for the Truman Scholarship was equally rigorous and fulfilling,” says Redman. “As a scholarship that invests in the next generation of public servants, the application requires essays outlining one’s leadership and public service experience, graduate school plans, career aspirations, and a policy proposal.” It was this 2,000-character policy proposal that was most daunting for Redman as it required clearly and concisely identifying a public problem, offering a solution, and outlining major obstacles. For her topic, Redman described the issue of harmful algal blooms in the Snake River that come from nutrient runoff produced by agriculture. She drew on her background in biology and political economy to discuss realistic solutions and propose changes to farming practices. After completing her undergraduate degree, Redman hopes to attend the University of Washington to earn a master’s degree in marine affairs, a program that offers a comprehensive education at the intersection of public policy and marine science. She hopes to research how human activity impacts the ocean and translate her findings into outreach materials that educate the public on the ocean-society connection. Her goal is to reach people like herself—those in inland or rural areas without direct access to the ocean—so they understand how their actions affect marine ecosystems. When asked who her biggest influence and mentor has been, Redman immediately responds with: “I feel really grateful to be on a campus where that question is hard to answer.” She praised faculty from the biology, political economy, and history departments for helping and supporting her in the application process for the Truman Scholarship and acknowledged that they contributed tremendously to her academic development in life-changing ways. Redman is exceptionally driven to help and serve others. Whether that’s through research and outreach that advocates for marine conscious public policy or through creating the donut shop that she and her father dreamt about when she was little, either way, she aims to do incredibly important work that benefits society. “The opportunity to apply for a Truman Scholarship has provided me with experience and connections that I would not have gotten otherwise,” says Redman. “I’m excited to see where the rest of the process takes me, and I’m confident I will be thoroughly prepared for
whatever comes next.”