A Thank You to a True Advocate for Education

Korrin B.

April 11, 2010 - 8:30 PM

This post is most appropriately dedicated to Rhonda Smith, Internship Director for the Planning, Public Policy and Management department. You go through college and hope to find those one or two extraordinary people who somehow magically come into your life and help you see the path you're meant to walk. They are invaluable mentors who years from now you will realize helped to shape your entire future. To me, Rhonda Smith is one of these people.

Rhonda is the perfect example of why I love and believe in my department. She shows that the PPPM department truly cares about its students and their work. Her enthusiasm for the work that she does should stand as an example for everyone. Everyday, Rhonda helps students within the PPPM department polish the resumes and cover letters they need to get that perfect internship or job where they can apply what they've learned in their classes. She spends her time searching for new and unique opportunities for students. Her joy comes from seeing students succeed and receive some of our community's, nation's, and world's best internships. I believe that Rhonda does not see her job as a job, but as an incredibly fun and rewarding activity that betters the overall education of the University's students.

This past winter term, I spent hours upon hours working on applications for competitive summer internships. I could not have done this without the ongoing support of Rhonda Smith. When I could not figure out how to fix a sentence just right or how I could possibly cut another 50 words to meet my essay's word limit, Rhonda was there as a second pair of eyes. When my exhaustion tried to get the best of me, Rhonda reminded me of the importance in what I was doing. I did not go through this task alone, but instead with a strong advocate who believes in the value of applied learning, the gift of higher education, and the passion of a driven student.

Because of Rhonda, I will be spending this summer in Atlanta, Georgia interning with The Carter Center. This is an incomparable opportunity brought about by the help of an individual who stands as a strong example and resource for students throughout my department. For her support, I am truly grateful.

It is people like Rhonda Smith that reassure my choice of coming to the University of Oregon, my decision to become a major in the PPPM department, and my belief in the importance of higher education.