“I’m originally from a rural town in Montana of about 900 people. My graduating class of 22 students was the largest in several years. This small-town background means community is incredibly important for me—building it, participating in it and being an active citizen and leader. Transitioning from a small town to the U was overwhelming, but I fell in love with the campus, Salt Lake City, and the opportunities here. It’s my dream school.

I’ve been involved with the Honors College, ASUU as a representative for my college and Chair of the Assembly, the Hinckley Institute, Congressman Blake Moore in his district and DC offices, and currently, as a Presidential Intern working with the Gardner Policy Institute. Additionally, I spent about a year working with Huntsman Cancer Institute as a policy and public affairs intern. It’s special seeing how all these circles overlap, and how you find the same passionate people all over campus.

I’ve learned from these experiences how powerful policy is in creating tangible change. I’m planning to attend law school after I graduate. Through law, I want to address the systemic barriers that exist in access to resources and opportunities. I’m particularly interested in issues such as rural communities or other marginalized groups having access to health care.

What drives me is seeing how policy, leadership and community all intersect to create change, and I’ve seen that here on our campus. It’s why education is so crucial to the future of our society, and in generating forward progress. Learning from all sorts of leaders from across campus has been an inspiration for me to consider a career in high education.

My personal philosophy is to take everything with a positive attitude, and to have openness. Whether that’s an openness to new opportunities, new perspectives or really anything that you’re facing. Finding communities that share these values has defined my university experience.”

—Anna Locke, a junior double majoring in Economics and Religious Studies, from Montana