We are thrilled to announce that Ryan Finner, a dedicated and accomplished student, has been accepted into the prestigious Master of Public Policy program at Oregon State University. Ryan’s acceptance is a testament to his academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to advancing inclusive policies within higher education and beyond.
Ryan will graduate in Spring 2026 with a Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies (Interdisciplinary Studies) and minors in Anthropology and Psychology. As a first-generation college student, Ryan’s journey is especially inspiring. He serves as an Academic Coach at PLUS, where he is passionate about fostering inclusive environments for marginalized communities.
Ryan’s research interests are both timely and impactful. Over the summer, he conducted research on how multilingual college students navigate academic spaces, drawing on linguistic and cultural anthropology as well as sociology. His 2025 Summer Research Project titled “Academic Navigation: The Lived Experiences of Bilingual and Multilingual College Students”, under the mentorship of Dr. Julia Smith, explores the lived experiences of bilingual and multilingual college students in U.S. public universities, centering student voices to propose more inclusive policies and support strategies.
In addition, Ryan’s current research adopts a DuBoisian perspective to examine how Black communities in Chicago are revitalizing cultural spaces in response to gentrification. His broader academic interests include race and ethnicity, social inequalities, housing policy, environmental justice, and urban sociology. Ryan’s long-term goal is to pursue a PhD in Sociology and become a university professor, using research and education to drive meaningful societal change.
Ryan’s leadership extends beyond his research. He founded Pathways to Research, a McNair student-run club that provides undergraduate students with vital resources such as networking and research opportunities.
Ryan’s acceptance to Oregon State University’s Master of Public Policy program marks an exciting new chapter in his academic journey. We are confident that he will continue to make significant contributions to the field of public policy and to the broader community. Great job Ryan!
For more visit: https://inside.ewu.edu/mcnair/ryan-finner/
