Accessibility Advocate and USD Student Olivia Allen Receives American Heart Association Scholarship
Allen was one of 10 students nationwide to receive a scholarship. This is the first time a USD student was selected for the EmPOWERED Scholars Program. She will receive $7,000 in financial aid, providing opportunities for Allen to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities in under-resourced communities.
“Being the first recipient of the EmPOWERED Scholarship from South Dakota, I feel so blessed to represent the state this year within the EmPOWERED Scholars Program,” said Allen. “I will use the scholarship funds to pay for my educational pursuits with aspirations to become a physician in rural and underserved areas. By using my education to serve these communities, I will be able to overall reduce health care disparities and empower change by diversifying health care fields within South Dakota.”
The American Heart Association Scholars – EmPOWERED Scholars awards scholarships to enrolled undergraduate students who volunteer in their communities to use toward their education expenses. Scholars give their time to community-based organizations, student-led organizations and other groups that address food insecurity, safe housing, job opportunities, access to health care and other conditions that can result in health disparities.
Allen is current president and a co-founder of the USD Student Access organization, a student-led group aiming to promote awareness and understanding of students with disabilities or learning variability on campus and create a positive campus environment for students living with a disability.
“I advocate for change in my community by encouraging students to advocate for their learning needs,” Allen said. “This inspired change on the USD campus by encouraging students to ask for help from professors and to not be afraid.”
Allen holds monthly meetings to promote self-advocacy and provide education about accessibility. In these meetings, Allen has taught students with disabilities how to effectively advocate for themselves.
Last spring, Allen organized an event open to the campus community for Accessibility Awareness Day, emphasizing the importance of accessibility within the learning environment. She is currently planning USD’s first Accessibility Day – set for Oct. 22.
In addition to the Student Access organization, Allen is a third-year resident assistant. She has interned with the Sanford Program for Undergraduate Research in Sioux Falls.
After graduation, Allen hopes to attend the USD Sanford School of Medicine and eventually, work in South Dakota as a cardiologist.
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