Kelbey Hilliard blends creative, academic, and community-building pursuits across three colleges while preparing for a future in scholarship
Kelbey Hilliard | Credit: Kiarra Ruff
By Ellie Webb-Bowen, CLA Student Writer - April 17, 2026
“The numerous clubs and opportunities I signed up for during freshman year have blossomed into fulfilling outlets for both my creative and academic pursuits,” said Kelbey Hilliard, a junior in the College of Liberal Arts, College of Earth, Atmospheric, and Oceanic Sciences, as well as the Honors College.
Hilliard, who’s majoring in English and sociology and minoring in philosophy and environmental sciences, likes to keep busy. Her interests growing up in Reno, Nevada, were always based in the humanities, particularly literature and philosophy, but tended to blend with the social and environmental sciences.
"I'm interested in pursuing broader ways of understanding the world," remarked Hilliard. “I like to find the intersection where distinct humanistic and scientific ideals intertwine.” This inquiry, perhaps partially influenced by her parents who were both public school teachers, continued when she enrolled at Oregon State University.
OSU appealed to Hilliard for a handful of reasons, including the beauty of campus, familiarity with the area, ability to earn a scholarship through the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), and the interdisciplinary curriculum CLA, CEOAS, and the Honors College could provide, aligning with her wide-ranging interests in understanding humanity.
Hilliard’s foundation remained in the School of Writing, Literature, and Film, despite her growing curiosity in sociology, prompted by classes she took in the School of Public Policy by Associate Professor Kelsy Kretschmer and Professor Dwaine Plaza, both of whom she assisted with projects outside of class, including attending the Pacific Sociological Association this spring with Dr. Plaza and other students. Professor Evan Gottlieb in the School of Writing, Literature, and Film was also an important English mentor and as Hilliard’s passion for environmental causes grew, so did her interest in CEOAS coursework, including Instructor Matthew Goslin’s geography and environmental sciences classes.
“I started getting very interested in literature as another way of understanding society and these social issues that I was so interested in, even though they're separate for me, I think it's kind of like that link together that really interested me.” Hilliard said.
On top of Hilliard’s consuming class schedule, she is currently president of OSU’s Student Literary Club, where she organizes events and hosts discussions about current and historical literary prose. Looking to grow her literary community on campus, Hilliard hopes to connect members to literary and arts events at PRAx (where she also works in the box office) for students to become engaged with literature.
She’s also an active member and media officer of the student-led Theatre Club, and has performed in the theatre department’s One-Act Festival for the last two years . Hilliard, who had been involved in theatre throughout high school, joined the club her first year at OSU in hopes of growing her own community.
“Participating in the theatre club has been fantastic,” said Hilliard. “I get to explore my creative side, as well as perform with friends, which isn’t something you can always keep up after college.”
Hilliard's commitment to community building doesn’t end there; she has also reported for The Daily Barometer and is the current copy editor for DAMChic, Beaver Digest, and PRISM.
“I realize it may come across as a lot to take on, but I like to have my time filled,” explained Hilliard. “And just about everything is something I’m interested in pursuing or becoming knowledgeable about.”
After graduating next spring, Hilliard is considering enrolling in a master's or Ph.D. in literature with a concentration in critical theory. "There's a lot of research that I want to follow and that I started working on as an undergrad. I'd like to see where that leads me." Law school could also be in her future, but for now, Hilliard is focusing on wrapping up her time at OSU and keeping a full schedule and an open mind.