Jessica Perkins is a native Oregonian who often finds herself immersed in a good political book as well as enjoying Oregon’s natural beauty. She appreciates the social sciences so much she once participated in an Oregon State University class whose setting took place inside the state prison. It was there that Jessica learned about community development alongside her classmates: maximum security inmates. Jessica will be pursuing a graduate degree in Scotland this fall. While there, she plans to backpack through Europe for a second time, adding to the 18 European countries she’s already visited. She looks forward to meeting more vibrant people from all over the world and eating countless doner kebabs.