Grayson Bourke, a second-year applied community and economic development (ACED) sequence graduate student in the Department of Politics and Government was selected to receive a University Club Scholarship. This scholarship recognizes his commitment to leadership, community service, stewardship, and global citizenship.
Bourke graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh with an undergraduate degree in political science and international development and minors in Asian studies and social justice. He was highly involved and engaged as an undergraduate student, participating in many campus and community activities, including volunteering with AmeriCorps.
Following his graduation he served with City Year Milwaukee. Serving as a City Year AmeriCorps member reinforced his commitment to serving others, and led him to work at nonprofits before enrolling in the ACED sequence of the graduate program in political science at Illinois State. Here, he has been involved in a variety of activities, including participating in a weeklong program in Costa Rica and serving on the Graduate Student Advisory Council.
Now in his second year in the ACED program in political science, Grayson is completing his professional practice, a requirement for ACED students, at East Bluff Community Center in Peoria, where he serves as community engagement coordinator. During his professional practice he participated in a number of activities, including completing a neighborhood assessment and helping develop new community partnerships.
