“Public service isn’t just a job; it’s a way of life. It’s not just about what you do, but how you do it and how you treat people along the way.”
— U.S. Congressman Andy Kim
Inspired by many Phi Beta Kappa members who have shaped the course of our nation through local, state, and federal service, the Society’s Key into Public Service program highlights specific pathways for liberal arts and sciences graduates seeking public service careers. The Society is pleased to announce the selection of 20 remarkable recipients of $5,000 undergraduate scholarships given to liberal arts and science majors with a demonstrated interest in public sector work.
John Boland, University of Notre Dame
Malina Brannen, Georgetown University
Max Chayet, Williams College
Gabrielle Crooks, Stanford University
Jacob Feuerstein, Bucknell University
Sarah Glaser, University of South Florida
Sydney Gray, Yale University
Joseph Hartung, University of Kansas
Jaeger Held, Gettysburg College
Michael Hernandez, University of Connecticut
Raziya Hillery, Butler University
Wren King, West Virginia University
Kassandra Le-Huynh, University of Tulsa
Isabel Lopez, Rhodes College
Karishma Muthukumar, University of California, Irvine
Nazm Rahat, Millsaps College
Sujay Ratna, Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Samuel Rechek, University of South Florida
Khaylah Scott, Millsaps College
Isha Yardi, University of Maryland, College Park
Chosen from more than 800 applicants attending Phi Beta Kappa chapter institutions across the nation, the Key into Public Service Scholars hail from 15 states. The college sophomores and juniors display a wide variety of academic interests, from an economics and French double major to a biochemistry major with a minor in English literature.
“The Society selected these exemplary students for their intellectual curiosity; breadth and depth across liberal arts and sciences coursework; positive contributions on and off campus through academic research, internships, and community service; and demonstrated commitment to serve the common good,” Phi Beta Kappa Secretary and CEO Frederick M. Lawrence said. “As the country tackles concurrent health, economic, and social crises, the Society applauds the 2021 Service Scholars for their pursuit of arts and sciences excellence in service of the greater good.”
Each scholar will take part in a virtual convening to provide them with training, mentoring, and reflection on pathways into active citizenship. You are also invited to join the Society on June 24 at 6:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) as Secretary Lawrence leads a conversation on the call to serve with three inspiring pannelists in a moderated discussion.
The panelists are:
• Paul Helmke (ΦBK, Indiana University) is a professor of practice at Indiana University’s O’Neill School of Public & Environmental Affairs and director of IU’s Civic Leaders Center. Helmke is a former president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, former president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and former three-term mayor of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
• Amanda K. Johnson, MD, MBA (ΦBK, Stanford) is assistant vice president of Care Models in the Office of Ambulatory Care and Population Health for NYC Heath + Hospitals where she leads a team providing innovative care for people exposed to the criminal justice system, experiencing homelessness, or facing other structural barriers that impede access to health care. Dr. Johnson also directs New York City’s Test & Trace Corps Take Care pillar, which provides supported isolation and quarantine options to Covid-19 cases and contacts and delivers AfterCare, a new initiative to connect people living with “long Covid” with physical, mental, financial, and social resources.
• Congressman Andy Kim (ΦBK, University of Chicago) represents the Third Congressional District in New Jersey. Prior to serving in the U.S. House, Congressman Kim worked as a career public servant under both Democrats and Republicans. He served at the United States Agency for International Development, the Pentagon, the State Department, the White House National Security Council, and in Afghanistan as an adviser to U.S. Generals David Petraeus and John R. Allen.
You will find registration details along with individual profiles of our 2021 Service Scholars at pbk.org/PublicService. The Society will also make a recording of the event available.