The price includes travel for students engaged in public service careers
A new scholarship created by the Obama Foundation provides generous financial assistance to students who dedicate their careers to public service. In the inaugural cohort of 100 winners, two are from Arizona State University.
Ainor Elgamal, double major in political science, public policy and public service, and Nnena Okuagu, double major in political science and justice studies, won the Voyager Scholarship, a two-year program for American students who want to pursue a career in the public service.
The scholarship, for undergraduate and graduate students, is funded by a $100 million personal contribution from Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky to the Obama Foundation.
The winners, chosen from nearly 1,800 applicants, will receive:
- Up to $50,000 in financial aid for debt relief so students can afford to pursue careers in public service.
- A $10,000 stipend and free Airbnb housing to pursue a self-designed summer work travel experience between junior and senior year of college.
- A 10-year travel stipend, paid $2,000 per year for 10 years, to allow winners to continue expanding their horizons.
- The opportunity to meet former President Obama at a fall meeting, where winners will network with each other and hear Obama and Chesky discuss leadership and public service.
- Networking throughout the program through an ongoing speaker series and membership in the Obama Foundation.
Ainor Elgamal
Elgamal, a native of Avondale, Arizona, said he found out about the scholarship through email.
“I saw that it was for juniors, for public service and for people interested in doing a travel experience to further their knowledge, so it was like, check, check and check,” he said. she declared.
Winners are allowed to design their own journey based on what they want to do in their career. Elgamal, whose family immigrated from Egypt, is passionate about working in immigration reform.
“I want to go to Barcelona because I want to learn more about immigration law in other countries and how successful immigration policies can be applied in the United States,” she said. declared.
“I know what it’s like to come to a country and navigate your way, and I hope it’s easier and less stressful so people can lead a better life.”
Elgamal, who would like to become an immigration lawyer and work at a nonprofit, said the application process was helpful.
“You have to think about your field and why you’re pursuing the degree you’re pursuing and how it relates to public service, and that really motivated me,” she said.
“Even though I didn’t get the scholarship, just being able to think about what I want to do has made me even more passionate about my career in public service.”
Nnena Okuagu
Okuagu, who is from Casa Grande, Arizona, said that in May a friend sent a message to Michelle Obama’s Instagram account announcing the scholarship.
“I thought to myself, ‘It’s a national scholarship, so it’s definitely a long shot, but I should apply,'” she said.
Last summer, while browsing the app, she was also adding a Justice Studies major and upgrading from a Bachelor of Arts to a Bachelor of Science in Political Science because she had found his field of passion.
Okuagu was inspired to consider law school and a career in justice system reform after taking an introduction to justice studies with Christine Holman, senior lecturer at the School of Social Transformation, and a course in persuasive writing. with Kenneth Ladenburg, an English teacher.
“These two courses allowed me to explore where this injustice is happening and how it directly affects black and brown communities and how nothing is being done about it,” she said.
She learned how prisoner labor is exploited, how overworked public defenders cannot provide adequate representation, and how difficult it is for formerly incarcerated people to reintegrate into society.
“I want to go to law school and get ideas about what to do,” she said.
Okuagu is still deciding what his travel experience will be next year. She hopes to have an internship with REFORM Alliance, an organization that works to change probation and parole policies.
Former President Barack Obama joined a Zoom call with the winners a few months ago.
“He gave us words of encouragement and told us he’s proud of us and there’s a reason we’re here,” Okuagu said.
“It meant a lot to hear that from the former President of the United States.”
Applications for the next round of Voyager Fellowships will open next year.
Kyle Mox, associate dean for the National Scholarship Council, said any ASU student or recent graduate is encouraged to seek assistance in applying for scholarships or fellowships from the Lorraine W. Frank Office of National Scholarships Advisory at ASU.
“We work with undergraduates and graduate students from all campuses, both on campus and online,” he said.
“Our advisors have considerable experience and expertise in helping students prepare competitive applications for national scholarships. Applicants are often surprised at the attention we will give to their essays. It is common to write five to ten drafts for a single 500-word essay, and we look forward to helping you every step of the way.
Visit the ONSA website to search the scholarship database, view a calendar of upcoming information sessions and workshops, and subscribe to a weekly e-newsletter, which provides details of upcoming events and deadlines.
Top photo by Deanna Dent/Arizona State University
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