Donaghey Scholar readies for next step in her future
Julie O'Hara is a political science major graduating in spring 2019. Photo by Ben Krain. When Julie O鈥橦ara graduates on May 11, she will leave behind a legacy of success at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. With an acceptance to the University of Pittsburgh in hand, her energy is focused on a future in international politics.O鈥橦ara, a political science major from Little Rock, has been involved in local politics since she was a teenager.鈥淚 actually started volunteering with the Democratic Party or Arkansas when I was 14,鈥� O鈥橦ara said. 鈥淚 worked with various campaigns. Through those interactions, I realized how much I enjoyed getting to talk to the community.鈥�As a high schooler, O鈥橦ara decided to attend 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock after hearing about her older sister鈥檚 experience as a Donaghey Scholar.鈥淢y oldest sister went through the Donaghey program, so I had a really good idea about what I would get out of it,鈥� O鈥橦ara said. 鈥淥ne of my favorite things about it was the Socratic-style classes that let you actually discuss the material rather than have it lectured to you.鈥�O鈥橦ara has had the opportunity to present her research at multiple national conferences.鈥淚 attended the Southern Political Science Association鈥檚 conference twice, once to present research that I worked on in a methods course and again to present my final project for the Donaghey Scholars Program,鈥� O鈥橦ara said.
Julia O’Hara, who is graduating from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock with a bachelor’s degree in political science, stands outside the Senate chambers in the Arkansas State Capitol building. Photo by Ben Krain.
Throughout her time as a student, O鈥橦ara has continued to be active in state politics, thanks to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 location in Arkansas鈥檚 capital city.鈥淗aving grown up in Little Rock, I knew the opportunities for studying politics that I would get here,鈥� O鈥橦ara said. 鈥淚 had built up connections through volunteering and internships.鈥�When reflecting on her time at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, O鈥橦ara points to her interactions with its non-traditional student body as one of the university鈥檚 biggest strengths.鈥淲e have such a nontraditional student body,鈥� she said. 鈥淎t 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, you get diversity in ideas and experiences.鈥�After finishing her Ph.D. in political science, O鈥橦ara plans to continue her research in international politics at a professional level.
