Kortney Sims
University of MontanaKortney Sims, a Junior at the University of Montana (UM), is an engaged scholar and active member of the campus community. During her time at UM, she has distinguished herself as a leader amongst her peers and an advocate for underrepresented populations of students, especially those living with communicative disorders and autism. She has worked tirelessly through her studies, extracurricular activities, and employment to address social inequities and promote a more inclusive campus community.
Personal Statement
Coming from a small town, I learned the importance of engaged citizenship from my family. The transition to college was definitely a big adjustment, but my love for volunteering has grown the longer I am in Missoula. I was selected to be a Resident Assistant for the University, where I built a residence hall based on involvement and inclusivity. There is a shortage of knowledge surrounding neurodiversity in University Housing Systems. I’m currently working with another student to prepare training to provide better community options for neurodiverse students. My interest in helping the aging population lead me to the New Directions Wellness Center, a non-profit health promotion program, where I have volunteered my time helping people with chronic illness or disability with their workout or fitness needs. In the future, I look forward to working as a Speech-Language Pathologist. Communication is a right that everyone deserves, and I would love to help create an equal opportunity for everyone to have equal access to the services they need. I plan to spend time within my community to achieve this goal while also teaching future generations the importance of engaged citizenship.