Eli Davies '24
Eli Davies '24
- Hometown: Mansfield, MA
- Class: 2024
- Majors: Political Science, Urban and Regional Planning
- Out-of-Classroom Experiences/Interests:
- Associated Student Government (Parliamentarian)
- Asian American Association
- Miami Ice Skating Club
- Geography and Planning Society
Why Miami?
Over the course of my junior and senior years in high school, I ended up visiting Miami four times for different admissions programs and visits. Each time I visited, I liked the campus and the students, staff, and faculty I talked to, and it felt like Miami would be somewhere that I could get attention as a person while also having the resources of a larger institution. I also was fortunate enough to receive a full tuition scholarship.
How did you choose your major?
I started at Miami as a political science major. Much of my interest in that came from the 2016 election and all of the attention that Donald Trump brought to the political system in the US. Once I got to Miami, I took GEO 201, Geography of Urban Diversity, my first semester for one of the Miami Plan requirements. I immediately fell in love with the subject of urban planning and decided to add it as a second major.
Key Moment at Miami
One of my favorite courses at Miami was POL 348, Gender and US Politics taught by Dr. Monica Schneider. In my other courses, gender dynamics were rarely discussed beyond narrow topics like abortion. However, this course spent the whole semester diving into how gender intersects with politics in terms of policymaking, political ambition, and other areas of government and politics. In particular, I appreciated Dr. Schneider's approach of sharing videos of the scholars whose papers we'd read explaining their research which enabled us to put a face to the authors of the research we'd read.
Favorite Miami Memory
I have been involved in Associated Student Government (ASG) since my freshman year. Being a member of the organization has shaped my professional skills and interpersonal skills so immensely. I feel much more confident in my ability to have a job post graduation now that I have had leadership experiences within ASG. I also have met countless friends and learned so much about how the University is run.
Advice to Prospective Students
Reach out to faculty and staff who work in the programs you're interested in to learn more about them and see if they can connect you with current students. Miami people are friendly, and there's no better way to get to know if the university is a good fit than to talk to current students.
What are your career goals?
I am planning to work in public policy. I am not sure what form exactly that will take as of now though. I am hoping to work as a legislative staff or policy advocate for a nonprofit organization.
Other Notable Experience
I was fortunate to go on a university-affiliated trip to Montgomery, Alabama over spring break my sophomore year where I learned a lot about the history of the Civil Rights movement. I also have been able to go on trips with the Government Relations Network in the Office of ASPIRE to advocate for Miami and higher education in both DC and Columbus.
