The Oregon State University Honors College encourages its students to enact change around them and become leaders in promoting it. Honors College student Tali Ilkovitch has risen to this challenge. Hailing from Maryland, Tali is a fourth-year student majoring in natural resources in the College of Forestry. Tali, who uses they/them pronouns, has always felt a deep connection to nature, and since coming to Oregon State they have developed a passion for learning about the land they inhabit, especially through Traditional Ecological Knowledge. Tali hopes to use the knowledge they gain through their major and the Honors College to help promote traditional ecological values and techniques, saying: “I feel like learning more about TEK gives me further insight towards contributing to more equitable forms of climate change mitigation and natural resource management.”
Identity
Tali considers their identity to be a major factor in how they approach the world. Their Jewish faith inspires them to work to better their surroundings, especially through the tenet “Tikkun Olam” (repairing the world). Their queer identity also shapes their worldview, motivating their drive for solidarity among people who need it, as well as giving them a good understanding of the nuances of privilege in their work. They aim to build community through being mindful of differing experiences and collaborating with fellow students and members of the Oregon State community. “I found my advocacy skills and [my] empowerment throughout my time here. I’ve been able to learn a lot more about how to do my part in bringing forth social justice and making the world a better place through different avenues.”
Advocacy and Community
Tali is passionate about community service and restoring community health. “My focuses are abolition, survivor advocacy and community building. People having their basic needs met is important to me.” After noticing a lack of stable resources intended to help marginalized communities, Tali has made it their mission to create a safe space for students who feel unrecognized by the university. They have pushed for expanded anti-racist education in the wake of the George Floyd murder in 2020 and are constantly working to ensure that their fellow students feel as safe as possible on campus. “I have a greater understanding of how institutions work, how to navigate them and how to, hopefully, make them more equitable and safer, especially for marginalized communities.” They also play an active role in the Really Really Free Market, which aims to “decommodify basic needs and distribute free resources to the community.”
Tali has a strong interest in preserving stories of advocacy and change and are writing their thesis on archiving student activism at Oregon State through various media such as zines and storytelling. Tali created their own zine, Surviving OSU, featuring the stories of OSU students that have survived assault and are advocates for survivors.
Outside of their classes and advocacy work, Tali plays guitar in Polypore, a punk band, with other Oregon State students. They consider performing in the band to be an essential part of their activism, as they take pride in having “the opportunity to create safe and joyous spaces where I can bond with my community.”
Advice for Aspiring Agents of Change
After four years at Oregon State, Tali has interacted with many different people, including some who have expressed apprehension towards Tali’s activism. Their words of advice for anyone on the fence about getting involved with a cause are: “I’m just like you. Anyone can do this work, there’s nothing that makes me more qualified. Anyone can fight for a better community. Your time and resources you have to give are valid, it’s okay if it’s not a lot. All the power you need to do that is within you.” They acknowledge that it is easy for students to feel burned out in college and recommend taking care of your health when you need it, not after. They believe you can’t move forward with your goals if you have exhausted yourself. “Caring for yourself is an act of resistance.”
By Katelyn Maloney, Student Writer, Honors College
Photos of Tali playing guitar courtesy of Mitchell Widharma Photography
CATEGORIES: All Stories HC Student Spotlights Homestories Students