April 12, 2024

We're delighted to announce that Alyssa Kemp has been selected as a 2024 Truman Scholar! Alyssa is the third Drexel student to ever receive this highly selective scholarship, which is meant to celebrate and prepare the nation's next generation of public service leaders. Truman Scholars receive funding for graduate school as well as access to professional development, a summer internship program, and advising and mentoring. Alyssa is one of 60 outstanding college students selected as 2024 Truman Scholars.

We are so proud of the hard work and commitment Alyssa has shown throughout the application process. Please join us in congratulating them on this impressive achievement! 

Read Alyssa's interview with Drexel News here: Alyssa Kemp Named as 2024 Truman Scholar, Drexel’s Third-Ever

Alyssa Kemp
BS/MS environmental engineering '25

Alyssa Kemp is a fourth-year student at Drexel University pursuing accelerated bachelor’s and master’s degrees in environmental engineering. They are pursuing minors in interdisciplinary problem-solving and climate change. Their interests are rooted in environmental and social justice, climate policy, and community development. As such, they have conducted research projects on community-based heat mitigation strategies, community gardens, and climate transition workforce development programs. They are a Nina Henderson Provost Scholar, a Community-Based Learning Project Lead, and a Task Member of Drexel’s Climate Action Plan. After graduation, they aspire to enter a JD program, specializing in environmental and energy law. 

Alyssa has been involved in the Pennoni Honors College through the Honors Program, as a 2021 STAR Scholar and Velay Fellow, as a 2021-22 Aspire Scholar, and through the SuperNova Undergraduate Research Fellows Program.

Alyssa says, "Thank you to everyone who has supported me on my journey so far! I'm especially grateful to Dr. Christopher Weyant, Dr. Franco Montalto, Mathy Stanislaus, Esq, and everyone at the UREP office."

Special thanks to Alyssa's mock interviewers, who helped prepare them for their Truman finalist interview:

John Fry, President of Drexel University
Jordan Hyatt, PhD, Associate Professor of Criminology & Justice Studies and Director of the Center for Public Policy,
Julia H. May, PhD, Associate Teaching Professor of Communication
Kevin Egan, PhD, Director of Academic Programs for the Pennoni Honors College
Brian Kantorek, MS/LIS, Associate Director of Marketing & Media for the Pennoni Honors College
Sky Harper, chemistry '24, 2023 Truman Scholar
Steven Weber, PhD, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Curriculum & Education and Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering
Cyndi Rickards, PhD, Associate Teaching Professor of Criminology & Justice Studies
Fernanda Campos da Cruz Rios, PhD, Assistant Professor of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering

Special thanks as well to the members of Drexel’s 2024 Truman Campus Committee, who worked with Undergraduate Research and Enrichment Programs to review applications, conduct interviews, and advise Alyssa on their application:

David Brown, PhD, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
Joseph Amon, PhD, MSPH, Clinical Teaching Professor and Director of the Office of Global Health
Meg Guliford, PhD, Assistant Professor of Politics

The Truman Scholarship is a highly prestigious national program that supports the graduate education and professional development of outstanding young people committed to careers in public service, including education and non-profit sectors. Since its creation in 1975, the Foundation has supported over 3,500 Truman Scholars who are making a difference in all corners of the nation and around the globe.

For more information, visit the Truman Foundation website or contact UREP at fellowships@drexel.edu.