February 6, 2025

We're proud to announce that three Drexel students have been nominated for the Truman Scholarship, which recognizes undergraduate juniors committed to careers in service of the public interest. This highly prestigious program provides Scholars with mentorship, professional development through a summer internship program, and funding for graduate school to prepare them to be change agents and leaders in the realm of public service. Drexel's three nominees will now represent the University in the national Truman Scholarship competition. We wish them the best of luck!

Emma Johnson
history '25

Emma is a third-year student at Drexel University with a major in history and a minor in Spanish. Much of her work combines her major and minor into bilingual research projects into the history of science and colonialism, with the goal to someday bring her research into museums as a curator. While at Drexel, Emma has spent time working with local museums (most recently the Atwater Kent Collection at Drexel University), helping to bring history to the local community. She hopes to pursue her education in both history and museum studies in her graduate and doctoral studies.

Emma has been involved in the Pennoni Honors College as a 2023 STAR Scholar and a UREP Ambassador.

*This announcement does not include two nominees who declined publicity at this stage.

Special thanks to the members of Drexel’s 2025 Truman Campus Committee, who worked with Undergraduate Research and Enrichment Programs to review applications, conduct interviews, and advise our nominees on their applications:

Neville Vakharia, PhD, Dean of the Pennoni Honors College
David Brown, PhD, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
Jill Moses, MFA, Associate Teaching Professor of English, CoAS

Thank you as well to our partners who assisted with campus interviews:

Nic John Ramos, PhD, Assistant Professor of History, CoAS
Brett Peters, MS arts administration & museum leadership '20, Curator, American Swedish Historical Museum
Michelle Baxter-Schaffer, MS arts administration & museum leadership '14, Director of Communications, New Jersey Council for the Arts
Kristine Mulhorn, PhD, Professor of Health Administration, CNHP
Beth Leonberg, DHSc, Associate Professor of Nutrition Sciences, CNHP
Nate Mook, Special Advisor, McCain Institute

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.