OSU alumna Cowley talks about Udall Scholarship experience
Thursday, October 3, 2024
Media Contact: Jeff Hopper | Communications and Media Relations Manager | 405-744-5827 | jeff.hopper@okstate.edu
Dr. Cortney Cowley sat in her high school library flipping through the Daily Oklahoman when she saw an article featuring three Oklahoma State University students who won national scholarships.
“I remember thinking, I would like to do that,” said Cowley, now a senior economist at Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.
Cowley planned to attend OSU after attending a summer science program while a junior in high school. When talking with her parents about the next steps, she would be responsible for finding scholarships that would help reduce the cost.
Once an undergraduate, Cowley became involved with the Office of Scholar Development. A program designed to facilitate undergraduate research programs, international enrichment opportunities and organize national scholarships for OSU students.
Cowley was fascinated by the environmental impact of agricultural production because of the many years she worked on her family's 5-acre farm in Ada, Oklahoma. Cowley routinely met with faculty for advice on finding more scholarships and research opportunities that aligned with her major, biosystems engineering.
Cowley recommends students wanting to apply for scholarships or other academic opportunities take the time to evaluate their life.
“Do a self-inventory. Really get to know yourself, what are you passionate about? What problems do you want to solve? Then design your experience around that,” Cowley said.
She compares the time and work it took to apply for the Udall Scholarship to a three-credit hour class. It takes time and effort to gather all the different essays and projects required for the application process. Applying to scholarships is a time-consuming endeavor, but one that makes a lasting impact on a student's life.
Scholarships provide financial aid for many students, allowing the chance to network with different peers and professionals, gain interview experience, developing their professional careers through experiential learning.
Cowley graduated OSU in 2009 as a Udall scholar with a bachelor’s of science in biosystem engineering. She futhered her education with a master's in mechanical engineering from Colorado State University and a Ph.D. in agricultural economics at OSU.
Receiving the Udall scholarship assured Cowley of her skills and talents, encouraging her to apply and win the Truman Scholarship as a graduate student.
“It gave me confidence. That I could do things like that. I could be a person from rural Oklahoma and compete for these national scholarships alongside Ivy League students,” Cowley said.
Now working for the FRBKC in the Regional Affairs section, she uses her knowledge of agricultural research and policy to pursue her passion for sustainable agriculture.
“If you're interested in these things, don’t try to fit yourself into the mold of
the scholarship. You are who you are and there’s something out there that fits you."
Cowley's path from her family's farm to the FRBKC would not have been possible without her determination during her academic career. The Udall Scholarship gave her more than just financial aid, it gave her the ability to take a leap of faith and go for something new.
Story By: Darby Rains | darby.rains@okstate.edu