Sydney Roeder, '17

Majors: Anthropology, International Studies
Institute: Gerald R. Ford Institute for Leadership in Public Policy and Service
Hometown: Midland, MI

With what organizations are you involved on campus?

• First Year Experience Mentor Program
• Writing Center
• Delta Gamma
• The Nwangi Project
• Student Volunteer Bureau
• InterVarsity Student Fellowship
• Ford Institute Council
• Student Research Partners Program

Why did you choose Ford?

Ford strives to build community both within Albion College and the city of Albion. They do this through service in the city and collaboration with leaders in the community. It is incredibly important to remember your roots when you go out into the world and that is why I joined Ford. They strive to forge the relationships between the students at Albion College and leaders in the city of Albion. This is a crucial skill that can be utilized later in life when we spread our roots out across the world and make differences in the places that we touch.

What current issue/topic is important to you?

The crucial issue that I am interested in is water sustainability in the Middle East and the correlation it has with political and social unrest.

In what ways have you been involved with this cause at Albion?

This past summer, I participated in FURSCA doing preliminary research for my senior thesis that I will be completing this year. The research dealt with the unique societal system within Jordan and how that affects water sustainability and policy within the country. This topic was influenced by my academic year abroad in the country of Jordan. During that time, I interned for a non-governmental organization (NGO), EcoPeace Middle East. EcoPeace worked collaboratively with Palestinians and Israelis in furthering the sustainability of the Jordan Valley through various grass roots initiatives. Considering I have such a global perspective, I don’t consider Albion to be a physical place but rather the network of people and ideas that have shaped my college experience.

What has been the most influential moment for you thus far at Albion College?

There is not one moment that has been the most influential to me on campus. Every time I have a conversation with my professor, volunteer, talk with people on campus or take a class, there is something influential that sticks with me. Because of a culmination of all these things, I have decided what I want to do with the rest of my life; if it was not for the connections that I have with my professors, I may have never found out a clear path for a career and the steps to get there.

What do you envision yourself doing after Albion?

Upon graduation from Albion, my path could flow in any direction. One of the options that I am looking into is returning to Jordan to work with an NGO in sustainability. Another option could be working with organizations here that deal with Middle Eastern issues.

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