UA student named Truman Scholar
Lindsey Pruitt
Issue date: 3/31/08 Section: News
A UA student has been chosen as a Truman Scholar by members of the Truman Scholarship Foundation, according to a UA press release.
Olivia Meeks of Hot Springs was one of about 75 students from across the country selected as finalists for the scholarship.
"Olivia is a lively, intelligent student who is committed to public service, and the credit is hers for winning the scholarship - she is a perfect match for it," said Suzanne McCray, associate dean of the Honors College.
Meeks, an Honors College Fellow, economics Honors Scholar and senior majoring in economics and political science in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, said she became interested in the Truman Scholarship during her sophomore year because of its focus on public service.
"The Truman Scholarship is a graduate school award that provides $30,000 for approved public service-oriented graduate programs, as well as leadership training and a wonderful network of other students who are working towards making a difference in the world," Meeks said.
Meeks has worked on the UA campus as president of the student chapter of the OMNI Center for Peace, Justice and Ecology; been the project leader on a community development program in Belize and interned for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, according to the press release.
"Public service is my passion," she said. "As my college years went by and I gained more experiences that solidified my ambition to work in the public sector, the Truman became a better and better fit with my future goals."
Some of those future goals include working at the U.S. capitol to improve education.
"After graduating from UA next year, I plan to participate in the Teach for America program for a year or two, then move on to getting my master's of public policy," Meeks said.
"Eventually I hope to work in a D.C.-based governmental agency or non-profit organization focusing on improving economic opportunities for Americans through improvements in education," she said.
Olivia Meeks of Hot Springs was one of about 75 students from across the country selected as finalists for the scholarship.
"Olivia is a lively, intelligent student who is committed to public service, and the credit is hers for winning the scholarship - she is a perfect match for it," said Suzanne McCray, associate dean of the Honors College.
Meeks, an Honors College Fellow, economics Honors Scholar and senior majoring in economics and political science in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, said she became interested in the Truman Scholarship during her sophomore year because of its focus on public service.
"The Truman Scholarship is a graduate school award that provides $30,000 for approved public service-oriented graduate programs, as well as leadership training and a wonderful network of other students who are working towards making a difference in the world," Meeks said.
Meeks has worked on the UA campus as president of the student chapter of the OMNI Center for Peace, Justice and Ecology; been the project leader on a community development program in Belize and interned for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, according to the press release.
"Public service is my passion," she said. "As my college years went by and I gained more experiences that solidified my ambition to work in the public sector, the Truman became a better and better fit with my future goals."
Some of those future goals include working at the U.S. capitol to improve education.
"After graduating from UA next year, I plan to participate in the Teach for America program for a year or two, then move on to getting my master's of public policy," Meeks said.
"Eventually I hope to work in a D.C.-based governmental agency or non-profit organization focusing on improving economic opportunities for Americans through improvements in education," she said.
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