Episode 3: Education and Advocacy

In this episode, I talk with Jonathan Jackson ('12) and Sophia Barro ('22) about their passion for education and advocating for students. They share some of their own stories and how their experiences have shaped their callings and their values. 

During his time at PLU, Jonathan was an Act Six Scholar, which is a leadership development and scholarship program, which empowers students to use their education make a difference in their communities. He also studied away in Oaxaca, Mexico and Granada, Spain. In 2020, he received his Master's in Business Administration (MBA) from PLU, and he is also a member of the alumni board. Jonathan is the Executive Director of Palmer Scholars, a family-oriented post-secondary academic success foundation, which supports "underrepresented students of color in Pierce County to overcome financial, cultural and social barriers as they pursue higher education." 

Sophia is a junior at PLU, and a part of the 2020-2021 cohort of the Wild Hope Fellows. She is pursuing her degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Reading and a minor in Religion. She hopes to be the kind of teacher that is a safe place for her students, and inspires them to find their own callings to serve. She won the Wild Hope Essay Contest in 2020, which explores the theme of "Service Amidst Crisis."

This podcast was produced by Becca McInally in collaboration with the Wild Hope Center for Vocation at Pacific Lutheran University. Our music is created by Emma Christensen. Have an idea for the show? Email us at [email protected]. Follow us on Instagram to stay up to date on our latest projects, @pluwildhope.