Ellery Stuth shakes her head and laughs when she recalls how her mother jokes that Stuth has always been a grown-up. In a way, her mother may be right. Like other kids, she spent long hours playing in the woods, bike riding to her friend’s house and letting her imagination go wild in theater class. But, she also carried a sense of purpose at a very young age.
As a kindergartener, she remembers thinking about what it would take to achieve good grades throughout her K-12 education so she could eventually secure scholarships and afford a college degree. Stuth was driven to attend college by a strong desire to build a stable future. One that would allow her to meet her own needs as well as support her younger brother with autism.
“I think I understood education policy even as a kid because my parents were navigating it on behalf of my brother,” Stuth says. “I was able to see ways the system was unfair.”
At the time, her brother, Austin, and a few of his classmates were among the first students with disabilities to go through their school system, which lacked adequate special education support. Stuth grew up watching her parents stand up for these students and build a strong community of support around them. In this environment, she discovered her passion for education accessibility.
Last month, Stuth joined College Possible Oregon as the new individual giving and major gifts officer. In her role, she builds meaningful relationships with current and prospective donors, playing a vital part in advancing support for Oregon students.
“We are thrilled to have a new team member with 15 years of expertise in fundraising and education,” says Interim Executive Director Nicole Mays. “Her strong commitment to Oregon students and communities, combined with her ability to connect donors to mission-driven organizations is invaluable, and we are certain her contributions will be impactful.”
Growing up in Colorado, Stuth’s understanding of obstacles within the educational system deepened as she moved through different communities. She went to school in her home district of Basalt through 8th grade before enrolling at Aspen High School, 45 minutes away. As an out-of-district student, she pursued opportunities and scholarships that would’ve been out of reach otherwise.
While this move served her future, Stuth knew that if her brother had wanted to do the same, he wouldn’t have been able to because of his needs as a special education student. This contrast sharpened her awareness of her own privilege and the challenges that students like her brother faced because of the funding policies embedded in our education systems.
“There was a lot that I learned in my social position. While I wasn’t wealthy, my family was middle-class enough to have what we needed,” Stuth shares. “My mom also had a college education, so she was a really great support system for my brother to get the assistance he needed. Through her, I learned about speaking up for others early on.”
Both her upbringing and family have deeply influenced Stuth’s career in education. She went on to graduate from the University of Colorado Boulder with an undergraduate degree in sociology.
“It really suits how I think about the world,” Stuth says. “I love thinking about how systems and structures shape society, how people fit within structures and how those same structures shape individuals.”
She later earned her master’s in public administration with a focus in education from the University of Colorado Denver.
Since then, Stuth has devoted much of her career to organizations that help expand access to education, with the most recent being Greater Than, a Portland-based nonprofit. Stuth was drawn to College Possible’s mission of supporting students in higher education by addressing specific obstacles on their paths, she says.
“I’m passionate about education and making sure that every student has the support and opportunity to succeed to their fullest potential, and fundraising is what I can really bring to the table.” Stuth shares. “I’m fortunate to have a place to contribute to what I really care about. That’s part of how I contribute to my community as well as helping bring about positive changes in education.”
Get to Know Ellery Stuth
Song on repeat: I gravitate towards songs on Joy Oladokun’s album “Proof of Life.” This album is sort of like my chicken soup. There’s something about it.
Currently reading/watching: My husband and I always watch “The Great British Bake Off.” I’m also currently reading “Poverty, by America” by Matthew Desmond, and I’ve been revisiting poetry by Andrea Gibson.
Hobbies: I like to run and attend exercise classes throughout the week. I also love spending time with my kids and exploring the outdoors. Music is a constant, so I love going to concerts whenever I can.
A favorite quote: “Philanthropy is commendable, but it must not cause the philanthropist to overlook the circumstances of economic injustice which make philanthropy necessary.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
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