After graduating this spring, Chloe Ross intends to pursue a political communication master’s at American University in Washington, D.C.
Chloe Ross
By Ellie Webb-Bowen, CLA Student Writer - May 12, 2024
Chloe Ross, a senior majoring in public policy and minoring in economics and political science, always knew she wanted to attend OSU, but it was growing up in rural Central California that inspired her decision to pursue public policy.
Porterville is a small town nestled in a remote agricultural community in the San Joaquin Valley, surrounded by orange and walnut trees, as well as a large migrant population that works long hours to harvest them. Growing up in a community whose economy is dominated by the ebbs and flows of agricultural production was one of the factors that contributed to Ross’ interest in public policy.
“Porterville is not a wealthy town,” explained Ross. “Resident livelihoods are bound to the annual harvest and, recently, I’ve begun to see how the effects of climate change on crop production are significantly affecting the surrounding community. I witnessed first hand a lot of the brutal effects of climate change on a very vulnerable population.”
Particularly from the decades-long drought afflicting Central California, Ross described how many families lacked access to running water and how her high school had to open its doors to the public to shield themselves from the brutal heat and provide potable water.
Looking to make a difference, Ross identified OSU’s public policy program as an avenue to gain the skills and knowledge needed to become an advocate for small town agricultural communities like Porterville. It was during her freshman year that Ross realized graduate school was an option, when a guest speaker in one of her public policy classes touted how much farther a master’s degree can take you in making an impact. After spring term, Ross will be enrolling in a political communication master’s program at American University in Washington D.C.
“I’m hoping that the political communication program will give me the tools to cut through the political polarization and help me create permanent, lasting change in small communities,” said Ross. “It’s more important than ever to be able to eloquently articulate your point-of-view and advocate for effective policies.”
Ross’ advocacy and interest in public policy was also instilled in her at a young age by her great-grandparents, both of whom had storied military careers and lived to nearly 100 years old. Her great-grandfather survived the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 and fought in the Pacific during WWII, and her great-grandmother was in military intelligence, though she only revealed her illustrious profession to Ross’ great-grandfather before passing in 2017.
“My great-grandparents were very adamant about helping others and giving back to the community,” said Ross. “I was lucky to be able to have so many years and memories with them.”
Ross has volunteered countless hours in Porterville's veteran community, including starting a student club at her high school called HeartWarmers, which teaches students how to create knot blankets for those who are in need, including for women's shelters. In 2023, she was able to accompany veterans from all over California’s Central Valley on an Honor Flight to D.C., which gives veterans the opportunity to see the memorials of the respective war they fought in. Blankets provided to the 80 veterans flying across the country were knitted by HeartWarmers in 2020; though Ross had graduated from high school already, she was invited to join the flight as a way to honor her great-grandfather who had recently passed away. Ross wrote up her moving experience in a story for The Porterville Recorder about a female veteran on the flight.
At American University, Ross intends to pursue her passion with the goal of helping communities like Porterville. "I love Corvallis and my time at OSU,” Ross described. “But I feel at home in the Central Valley. I’m looking forward to starting a new chapter in my life.”