2011 Scholar

Sierra R. Gladfelter
Temple University

Sierra grew up traversing the world with her parents’ work as adventure travel writers. As a student at Temple University, she continues to travel by applying her studies in anthropology and geography & urban studies abroad. Sierra spent a summer studying the sustainability of Peru’s trekking routes to Machu Picchu, and investigated the effectiveness of tourism policy in Nepal and Bhutan at alleviating poverty in rural, Himalayan communities. Recognizing that travelers cannot forget about their home, Sierra recently designed a course at Temple University to engage students with watershed issues while canoeing the length of the Schuylkill River.

How can you describe a weekend of student leaders from across the U.S. with an intense passion to change the world? The Orientation was a phenomenal experience to meet and build connections that I'm sure will last a lifetime.

Emily Bacha, 2009 Udall Scholar