Oklahoma State’s Tori Coates selected as 2016 Udall Scholar

Monday, May 2, 2016

Oklahoma State University student Tori Coates has been named a 2016 Udall Scholar. Coates, from Westville, Oklahoma, is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and was selected as a Udall Scholar in the category of tribal public policy. The Udall Foundation awarded 60 scholarships of up to $7,000 each. Coates is the only winner from Oklahoma.

Coates is a junior majoring in management, with a human resource management option, and is minoring in American Indian studies. A member of the Honors College, Coates has an outstanding academic record and a history of campus leadership and service. 

The Udall Scholarship honors the legacies of Morris Udall and Stewart Udall, whose careers had a significant impact on American Indian self-governance, health care, and the stewardship of public lands and natural resources. She was selected out of 482 undergraduate students nationwide nominated to receive the honor and scholarship.

Through her interest in Native American issues, and particularly the health care of native children, Coates has conducted research on the Indian Child Welfare Act and the impact displaced native youth have on the wellness of Native Americans. In 2015, she interned with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C., where she worked with the senior advisor for tribal children. Coates plans to attend law school, specializing in American Indian law. This will allow her to represent Native American children in the foster care and adoption process, and write tribal public policy to address the needs of native children. 

On the OSU campus, Coates served as president of the Residence Hall Association, where she led a team to develop 106 programs to create healthy home environments in the residence halls. She is also the founder of “Helping Hands and Meal Plans,” which encourages students to use their meal plans to purchase items to donate to local charities. The program raises approximately $30,000 per year to benefit Oklahoma families.

Coates joins the select group of 15 previous OSU Udall Scholars, recognized by Office of Scholar Development and Undergraduate Research. The office enhances undergraduate education opportunity through scholarship and fellowship success, undergraduate research, and international experience. For additional information, call 405-744-7313 or go to www.okstate.edu/scholars.