March 16, 2023

Congratulations to Sky Harper and Atara Saunders, Drexel's nominees for the 2023 Udall Scholarship! The Udall Foundation awards scholarships to outstanding sophomore and junior level college students committed to careers related to the environment, tribal public policy, or Native American health care. These students have been nominated by Drexel University to participate in the national competition. They have spent the past few months working hard on their applications, which they've recently submitted. We wish them the best of luck!

Sky Harper 
chemistry '24 
Native Health Care category

Sky Harper is a third-year student at Drexel University pursuing a BS in chemistry. After graduation, he plans to enter an MD/PhD program and delve into translational and clinical research on external and internal factors that contribute to healthcare disparities and limitations in low-resource communities. He is the President of Drexel Indigenous Students of the Americas and is involved around campus in different capacities. He is working with the USDA-ARS as a researcher. He has had the opportunity to conduct research with Dr. Hai-Feng Ji on polymers and Dr. John Medaglia in the Cognitive Neuroengineering and Wellbeing Laboratory and will be joining Dr. Bouchard's lab during the spring.

Sky is a first-generation Navajo student from Chinle, Arizona and his goal is to show his five younger brothers that it is possible to succeed in whatever field you pursue. He would like to thank his mom and dad for their support throughout his life and for always being invested in his and his brother's education. Sky has been involved in the Pennoni Honors College through the Honors Program, STAR Scholars, Aspire Scholars, Supernova Undergraduate Research Fellows, and fellowships advising. He hopes to write for Dr. Melinda Lewis before graduation!

Atara Saunders
global studies, economics & public health '25
Environmental category

Atara Saunders is a 3rd year student at Drexel University pursuing a BA in global studies and BS in economics & public Health. She is also minoring in Spanish. Atara has significant experience organizing for climate justice, from being the Finance Committee Chair of Philadelphia Youth Climate Strike, to founding Drexel Dayenu Circle. In her free time she loves to bake and explore the city. 

Atara has been involved in the Pennoni Honors College through the Honors Program and Aspire Scholars.

Special thanks to the members of Drexel’s 2023 Udall Campus Committee, who worked with Undergraduate Research and Enrichment Programs to review, interview, and advise the nominees on their applications:

Emily Kashka-Ginsburg, MA, Undergraduate Research & Enrichment Programs
Amanda McMillan Lequieu, PhD, Sociology; Center for Science, Technology and Society
Jocelyn Sessa, PhD, Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science; Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
Andrew Smith, PhD, Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science; English and Philosophy; Center for Science, Technology and Society

The Udall Scholarship awards approximately 50 scholarships of up to $7000 to sophomore and junior level college students committed to careers related to the environment, tribal public policy, or Native American health care. The Udall Foundation seeks future leaders across a wide spectrum of environmental fields, including policy, engineering, science, education, urban planning and renewal, business, health, justice, and economics.

For more information, please visit the Udall Foundation website or email fellowships@drexel.edu.