For Michigan State University student and Citizen Scholar Audrey Pocopio, experiencing the history and culture of London, England, brought her coursework to life during a summer study abroad program.

A double major in English and Humanities-Prelaw, Pocopio spent five weeks studying in England in Summer 2025, immersing herself in the history, literature, and culture she had previously encountered only in textbooks. This experience was supported by the William and Pamela Lowe Scholarship for Citizen Scholars, which helps students pursue academically rigorous learning grounded in community engagement and global perspective.

“Having the opportunity to pursue my love for the humanities has fostered my confidence in my degree,” Pocopio said. “[The Lowes’ support] has not only enriched my education but also strengthened my commitment to making a positive impact.”

The scholarship was established by Bill and Pamela Lowe, whose philanthropy reflects a belief that higher education should extend beyond the classroom and prepare students for engaged citizenship.

“Community-based engagement creates the opportunity for students to put their liberal arts skills, perspectives, and dispositions to productive work in real, very concrete learning situations in which there is something of substance at stake, which is a fine preparation for a career, citizenship, and a satisfying adult life,” said Bill Lowe, who earned his B.A. in History from MSU and participated in a summer study abroad program in Ireland before graduating, an experience he hopes all MSU students have.

Inspired by their own educational journeys, the Lowes committed $150,000 to establish both the William and Pamela Lowe Citizen Scholars Program Development Fund and the William and Pamela Lowe Scholarship for Citizen Scholars, expanding access to high-impact learning experiences for College of Arts & Letters students. They also created the William J. Lowe Endowed Scholarship for Undergraduate Study in Ireland at MSU, the William J. and Pamela A. Lowe Detroit Endowed Scholarship for College of Arts & Letters students from Detroit, and an unrestricted planned gift to the college.

For Pocopio, donor support translated directly into transformative learning. One highlight of her London program was a trip to Bath to visit the House of Frankenstein while studying author Mary Shelley and her most famous work, connecting literary analysis with place-based history.

Back on campus in East Lansing, Pocopio continues to embody the values of the Citizen Scholars program. She welcomed incoming freshmen last fall and encouraged them to take advantage of the academic and experiential opportunities offered by the College of Arts & Letters. She, too, continues to learn and grow through her coursework and hobbies.

“My family has always loved travelling to new places,” she said. “It has instilled in me a deep appreciation for culture and cultural diversity. It keeps me grounded to know that I don’t know everything in this world, and that’s alright.”

In addition to her double major, Pocopio is minoring in Environmental Studies and Sustainability and would like to become a lawyer focused on environmental law. She said she wants to make a difference for people who may not be able to advocate for themselves.

“I grew up in the Philippines and that’s where I really got to see how different my life is from other people,” she said. “I was privileged enough to live in a really nice place in the city but there’s a huge gap in wealth. It’s not hard to see the difference.”

Pocopio recognized that people in the countryside and those with no resources experienced “environmental racism” and needed support to work against environmental waste brought into their communities.

In 2019, she moved to Kalamazoo where she attended high school and prepared for college. While there, she and several friends organized the first environmental student group focused on litter clean-ups and raising awareness. Her commitment spread to a rival school, and the student groups came together to spread the impact of their work.

That commitment continued at MSU, where she sought out leadership and service opportunities from her first semester. In Spring 2024, she joined the Pilipino American Student Society (PASS) and became the External Chair.

“With PASS, I was able to revisit home anytime I wanted without having to be physically there,” she said. “I really found a family with them. Having someone who shared the same culture, traditions, values, and language, made me feel seen and understood during a time of transition.”

Pocopio expects to graduate in Spring 2027 and hopes to continue traveling, learning, and advocating for others throughout her career — made possible, in part, through the generosity of donors who believe in the transformative power of education.

Are you interested in supporting study abroad or other experiential opportunities that help students like Pocopio gain valuable experience? Join Spartans near and far on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, for Give Green Day, which is a chance to make a difference and to impact current and future Spartans. Learn more at givingday.msu.edu.