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We are thrilled to announce the second recipient of the Kay Knox Fellowship at the University of Washington Evans School of Public Policy & Governance. Marle Ethelbah is an incoming first-year Master of Public Administration student whose passion for service, community, and public policy reflects the spirit of the fellowship. 

The Kay Knox Fellowship supports students pursuing leadership in public service and policy. For Marle, the fellowship represents not only financial support, but also mentorship and the opportunity to build the skills needed to create lasting change. 

We asked Marle to share what receiving the fellowship means to her, what inspired her commitment to public service, and the impact she hopes to make in the future.  

What does receiving the Kay Knox Fellowship mean to you? 

Marle Ethelbah: Receiving this fellowship means I can pursue my goal of obtaining a master’s degree — something I’ve been working toward for nearly ten years. 

I’ll also be one of the first in my family to earn a graduate degree at this level. That feels incredibly meaningful to me. I hope it shows my younger siblings, cousins, and family members that this path is possible. Even if they choose something different, I want them to know opportunities like this exist for people from our community. 

The fellowship also feels like a vote of confidence. It means others see my potential to make an impact in the public sector, and that motivates me to work even harder. 

I often describe my goal as becoming a “Swiss Army knife.” I want to build a wide range of skills so I can use the right tools to support my community in whatever way is needed. 

 How will the fellowship help you achieve your goals? 

Marle Ethelbah: The economic support is crucial for me. Without it, attending graduate school would be very difficult. 

Another incredible part of the fellowship is the mentorship from Kay Knox. Learning from someone with her experience and perspective is invaluable. Mentorship has played a big role in my life, so having the opportunity to continue learning from someone who has navigated leadership and public service is extremely meaningful. 

 What sparked your passion for public policy and governance? 

Marle Ethelbah: Service has been a part of my life since childhood. 

My mother always taught us that we’re not just individuals — we’re part of a community, and communities take care of each other. When there were gatherings or ceremonies, she told us not to wait to be asked to help. We were expected to jump in and contribute however we could. 

That lesson stayed with me as I grew older. When our family moved to Phoenix, we volunteered often. I remember helping pack food pantry boxes when I was young. At the time I didn’t always want to do it, but those experiences helped me understand that strong communities depend on people supporting one another. 

For me, public policy is a way to take those values and apply them on a larger scale — creating systems and solutions that support communities in lasting ways. 

Ultimately, I hope to return to my tribal community one day and support my people. 

Can you share a little about where you’re from? 

Marle Ethelbah: I’m from the White Mountain Apache Tribe in eastern Arizona. 

When people think of Arizona, they often picture desert landscapes. But our reservation is incredibly diverse. Some areas are desert, while others are covered in dense pine forests with lakes and abundant wildlife. 

It’s a beautiful place, and I miss it often. I moved away when I was about six years old because jobs are limited near the reservation, but we returned frequently for holidays, ceremonies, and family gatherings. Staying connected to my community has always been important to me. 

What excites you most about studying at the Evans School? 

Marle Ethelbah: One of the things I’m most excited about is learning alongside people who are also passionate about public service. 

At the Evans School, I’m gaining tools that will help me make a real impact — whether that’s learning financial strategies to sustain programs, developing stronger organizational management skills, or understanding how policy decisions affect communities. 

I’m also excited about the conversations and collaboration that happen within my cohort. Being surrounded by people who are deeply committed to improving their communities is incredibly energizing. 

 Are there specific policy areas that interest you? 

Marle Ethelbah: Right now my interests are broad, but one area I’m particularly drawn to is water rights policy. 

Water and land rights have been a major issue for many tribal communities. Growing up, I became aware of how decisions about natural resources can directly affect our communities and our future. 

There are also ongoing concerns about protecting sacred lands. For example, places like Oak Flat are deeply meaningful to Apache communities and are used for important cultural ceremonies. 

Understanding the policy and legal frameworks around these issues is important to me. Through my studies, I hope to gain the knowledge and tools needed to advocate for the protection of tribal lands, resources, and traditions for future generations. 

The work I hope to do requires an immense amount of systems planning and systems thinking.  I had the opportunity to meet with Lark Kesterke, Help Me Grow Washington Network Director, and was excited to learn that systems thinking and long-standing collaborative efforts are key to the work Help Me Grow is doing with tribal communities.  I am incredibly excited about the opportunity to learn more about her work and collaboration with tribal communities.

 What impact do you hope to make in the future? 

Marle Ethelbah: My long-term goal is to support tribal communities — including my own — in ways that create lasting change. 

Whether that means working in tribal government, supporting nonprofits, or strengthening educational opportunities for Native students, I want to use what I learn to build stronger systems and opportunities for future generations. 

If I can help create pathways for others, just as mentors and supporters have done for me, I will consider that a success.