Ally Avidan, a third-year double majoring in international studies and business administration, is one of five inaugural recipients of the UCI Social Sciences Moore Scholarship for Community and Social Change. The $2,000 award supports students who demonstrate the most academic promise and potential to enact change and improve the community. Below, the outstanding Anteater from Woodland Hills shares her academic journey, accomplishments, and aspirations.

What inspired your double major at UCI, and what aspects of international studies and business administration intrigue you the most?

After entering as an undeclared student, I took a variety of classes and decided on double majoring in international studies and business administration. The field of international studies allows me to study the effect globalization and cross-cultural communication is having on the world and its businesses. I chose business administration because I am interested in marketing and management. Through double majoring in different areas, I have developed diverse perspectives on issues currently facing our society.

What would you consider your biggest accomplishment at UCI? Also, tell us about your campus and community involvement, including volunteer work and organizations you've been part of.

I would consider my biggest accomplishment at UCI to be pursuing a double major in International Studies and Business Administration while maintaining a 3.97 GPA.

Over the past two years, I have been involved with a number of organizations on campus. I have been part of academic clubs, including the marketing association and women in leadership. I have also been involved in community service clubs, including UNICEF at UCI where I was the community outreach coordinator and worked with local organizations to set up two to three community service events per month to benefit children and assist them with food security, schoolwork, and literacy. I was also part of a team at the Los Angeles Platt Library, where we developed an emergency preparedness plan for the community and educated the local community on how to act and respond to natural disasters. The team created separate initiatives for different age groups to accommodate various learning abilities through the creation of activities and games for young children and a combination of presentations led by the team and community leaders for the adults.

Who has played an important mentorship role in your life thus far and why?

My parents have played an important mentorship role in my life. Their experiences and advice have helped shape me into the person I am today. At UCI, I have had a lot of influential professors that have inspired me to have a new perspective and a new potential career pathway.

Where can you most often be found on campus?

I can often be found in the Social Sciences buildings taking classes or studying in the libraries.

What’s your best memory thus far from your undergraduate experience at UCI?

My favorite memory would be Welcome Week where I had the opportunity to join many clubs and make new friends. Every year is so much fun and I love being able to see all of the organizations and all the UCI school spirit.

Any other interesting tidbits you would like to share?

I am learning new languages for places I would like to work in or travel to in the future.