Tessa Chambers

Hometown: West Fargo, ND

High School: West Fargo High School

Intended Major: Political Science

Possible Career: Public Defender

3 Words: Passionate, optimistic, and critical

What impact do you want to have on the world?

I would like to alleviate the compounding effects of racial and class-based inequalities, particularly in the U.S. criminal justice system.

Name a person you admire.

Glen Sean Coulthard

What is something you are proud of in your life so far?

Succeeding and thriving at Swarthmore.

What have been the most valuable Evans Scholars program experiences for you?

I have used my funding to further my engagement with the issues I care about, and in order to better understand what I think my role in "making the world a better place" will be after my time at Swarthmore. My experiences working on a political campaign, interning at an NGO focused on alleviating HIV/AIDS in the South, and interning at Senator Elizabeth Warren's office have all informed my trajectory of who I want to be, and gave me satisfaction that my time and energy was going towards people and organizations that ultimately bettered the communities that they serve. The insight that I have gained from all of those opportunities together is invaluable.

What was the most transformative class you have taken and/or what subjects do you want to explore deeply?

Federal Indian Policy, which SISA (indigenous students at Swarthmore) put together as a student-run course. The history of American Indian Law is complex and unfortunately quite dark. This course solidified to me the importance of Natives being well-versed in the legal system, and the role of policy and law in finding solutions to issues surrounding race and class.