Soon-to-be graduate looks to continue advocacy in grad school and beyond

While her St. Cloud State University chapter is coming to a close, the future is nothing but bright for Kara Cowell.

The Huskies swim and dive team standout and SCSU Women’s Center champion will graduate with a major in biomedical science, a minor in gender and women’s studies, and a certificate in feminist leadership on May 3. She plans to attend the University of Minnesota to pursue her master’s in public health as well as maternal and child health.

Cowell’s time at SCSU got off to an unconventional start, as she was one of many students starting their college careers in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Students lived separately in their own dorms at that time, and the only other students Cowell met in-person were her swim teammates. Restrictions started to ease and campus started coming back to life her sophomore year, and that’s when she found the Women’s Center.

“The reason I came here is not the reason I stayed here. I came here for swimming and my school program, and while those things were always strong parts of my St. Cloud State journey, I stayed here because of my connections at the Women’s Center and my involvement and those people who really made me have my space here,” she said. “I think that was really impactful. Having been a freshman in COVID was really tough — to not meet anyone basically my freshman year other than the swimmers, because we were living in dorm rooms by ourselves, but having all my involvement in the Women’s Center and everything right into my sophomore year really reassured me that this is where I’m meant to be.”

Cowell started as a student employee with the Women’s Center, in addition to being a member of the Pre-Med Club and the Medical Professions Association, and started an SCSU chapter of Period — a global youth-fueled nonprofit which strives to eradicate period poverty and stigma through advocacy, education and service. Cowell has advocated for menstrual equity since she was in high school, and during her time at St. Cloud State was on the Minnesota Menstrual Equity Committee, where she helped write, advocate for and pass two bills during the 2023 state legislative session that provided free period products in all K-12 schools in the state as well as any colleges or universities in the Minnesota State system along with the University of Minnesota, respectively. Cowell worked directly with state senators and testified in front of the Legislature during the efforts, and has been active in the rollout of the policies on SCSU’s campus.

“Seeing that the small things can actually turn into big changes has been really inspiring during my time here. I did menstrual equity work in high school and it didn’t really go anywhere very fast. While it took a lot of time at St. Cloud State — to see it pass all the way through the Legislature — this can make a really big impact,” she said. “The fact that I’m making an impact in whatever I’m doing and influencing people’s lives and giving specifically menstruating people dignity, has been a really big goal of mine. Throughout the whole process I collected a lot of data about people’s stories about the period products they were using in the bathrooms on campus, and that was constantly reaffirming — this is something we really need. I think it’s just the ability to help people and acknowledge we can make a difference; I think I’ve learned a lot about that in college.”

Cowell said the Women’s Center has been instrumental in setting her up for her future goals. It’s already played a part in her career so far, including two separate Planned Parenthood internships.

“I think all of the opportunities for students to feel seen on campus and the identity centers and my ability to actually learn and grow as an advocate within the Women’s Center has been really cool,” she said. “It’s unique from other student worker positions. I’m not just sitting at a desk doing my homework and answering the phone. Every day when I go to the Women’s Center, I get to do something new, and I’ve learned a lot of my skills that I’m using to get part-time jobs right now from my work at the Women’s Center.”

While she doesn’t want to narrow her focus too much on what her dream career would be, Cowell said she hopes to continue being an advocate. After finishing her master’s program she’ll have the required prerequisites to pursue medical school, but said she could also see herself pursuing a PhD. Either way, she’s open and excited to learn more about specific fields such as reproductive justice, reproductive health care and maternal health care, among others.

“I hope that my work can bring other people the ability to uphold what they need in their lives. I don’t want to just take over and try and do everything myself,” she said. “I know the communities I’m working with have a lot of voices and opinions and need to be supported by people in academia, and I’m hoping that by getting my master’s in academia I can help support communities specifically like women, LGBTQ people and marginalized communities in ways they’re traditionally overlooked in the health care system.”

As she looks back on her four years at SCSU, there is much for Cowell to be proud of. From breaking the University record in the 100-meter breaststroke as well as being part of a record-breaking relay team, to bringing about real change statewide through her work and advocacy; Cowell’s just getting started. There are many things she’ll miss about St. Cloud State, but there’s much to look forward to in the coming months.

“It’s definitely bittersweet and a little scary. I have so many of my mentors — literally all of my professional mentors — here. I don’t know what I would do or where I would be without all of those people. I know all of them will keep in touch with me and continue to support me after college and as I get my master’s. I think that’s making me feel less scared, because I know they’re still going to be here and they’re not just going to cut me off once I graduate,” she said. “I’m really excited to see what I can do in a bigger space. I’ve loved my time at St. Cloud State, and I’m excited for something new again. But if they would’ve had my master’s at St. Cloud State, I definitely would’ve stayed, because I love it here so much, and my team and everyone I’m leaving behind makes it hard to leave St. Cloud, but at the end of the day they only have these master’s programs at eight spots in the country.

“It’s crazy that it’s coming really fast, but I’m excited to see what happens. I know that I’m prepared for what’s coming next. I’m excited — a little nervous, but excited.”