People walking across a sidewalk. There is a sign that spells out \"VCU\" in large yellow letters.
In 2023, students and alumni were named recipients for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, the Critical Language Scholarship, the Goldwater Scholarship, the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program, the Gilman Scholarship and the Public Policy and International Affairs Program Junior Summer Institute. (File photo)

Nov. 29, 2023

Year-end review: A look at the VCU students and alums who earned prestigious domestic and international scholarships in 2023 through the National Scholarship Office

The recipients represent the university’s academic excellence and stand out for their accomplishments and potential in highly competitive international and domestic applicant pools.

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By William Lineberry
University College & Honors College

Twenty-nine undergraduate students, recent alumni and a staff member from Virginia Commonwealth University were selected as recipients of nationally competitive and highly sought-after domestic and international scholarships over the past year with the assistance of the VCU National Scholarship Office – helping advance their studies in fields ranging from STEM to public policy to foreign affairs.

These scholarship recipients represent the university’s academic excellence and stand out for their accomplishments and potential in highly competitive international and domestic applicant pools.

"We are excited to witness the transformations that each of these students and alumni will experience as a result of their scholarship or fellowship experience," said Jeff Wing, director of the National Scholarship Office. “These awards are all intended to lead to new opportunities for each recipient to investigate and consider. We know that their lives will change in ways that neither we nor they can imagine, and we are excited to see how they use these scholarships and fellowships as catalysts for an even more amazing future.”

Eleven individuals from VCU were named recipients for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program; five were selected for the Critical Language Scholarship; one for the Goldwater Scholarship; seven for the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program; seven for the Gilman Scholarship; and one for the Public Policy and International Affairs Program Junior Summer Institute.

Student recipients and details about the scholarships they received are listed below.

Fulbright U.S. Student Program 

The Fulbright Program is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Nine recent alums and one current student, as well as a VCU staff member, received Fulbright scholarships.

Two photos of women side by side.
(Left to right) Anne Penrod and Leslie Pyo.
  • Anne Penrod, psychology and sociology, May 2023 graduation
  • Leslie Pyo, painting & printmaking, Honors College, May 2016
  • Atoosa Haghani, political science, December 2020
A photo of a woman holding a dog next to a photo of a man
(Left to right) Atoosa Haghani and Vineeth Vaidyula
  • Oscar Kemp, social work, May 2023
  • Briana Meehan, psychology, May 2023
  • Ishaan Nandwani, biology, foreign languages (concentration in Spanish), Honors College, May 2023
Two photos of women side by side.
(Left to right) Briana Meehan and Julia Tracy.
  • Amelie Nkodo, medicine, May 2024
  • Samuel Paek, biology, May 2018
  • Julia Tracy, urban and regional studies, May 2023
  • Colleen Choate, VCU staff member
A photo of a woman next to a photo of a man
(Left to right) Colleen Choate and Ishaan Nandwani.

Critical Language Scholarship

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) is a summer study abroad program for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to intensively study languages critical to America’s engagement with the world, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.

Within the CLS umbrella, CLS Spark is a virtual initiative for U.S. undergraduate students to begin study of Russian, Arabic, or Chinese. Three alumni received CLS scholarships, and one current student received a CLS Spark scholarship.

  • Ryan Jackson, mass communications, Honors College, May 2026
  • Vineeth Vaidyula, biology, Honors College, May 2023
Two photos of people side by side.
(Left to right) Ryan Jackson and Oscar Kemp.
  • Oscar Kemp, social work, May 2023
  • Hayley Pottle, mass communications, December 2017

Goldwater Scholarship

The Barry Goldwater Scholarship was designed to foster and encourage outstanding students to pursue research careers in mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering. One current student received the Goldwater Scholarship.

A photo of a woman in a lab coat in front of a window
Gabriella Daire

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program

The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported STEM disciplines who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees at accredited U.S. institutions. Seven students and alums received NSF graduate research fellowships.

  • Bao Chau, pharmaceutical engineering, Ph.D. candidate
A photo of a woman next to a photo of a man
(Left to right) Sierra Tutwiler and Santiago Lopez.
  • Santiago Lopez, biomedical engineering, May 2023
  • Leia Troop, biomedical engineering, Ph.D. candidate
  • Nana Twumasi-Ankrah, bioinformatics, May 2021
  • Madison Bates, biomedical engineering and mathematics, May 2021
  • Vidal Bejar-Padilla, biomedical engineering, May 2020
Three photos of people side by side.
(Left to right) Leia Troop, Madison Bates and Vidal Bejar.

Gilman

A State Department-sponsored program that “enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity.”

  • Clara Arthur, business foundation, May 2026
  • Donté Jackson, environmental studies, May 2023
A photo of a man next to a photo of a woman
(Left to right) Donté Jackson and Gina Chan
  • Joud Al Kallas, biochemistry, May 2023, currently at VCU School of Dentistry, May 2027
  • Kenza Hassani, information systems, May 2025
  • Nathaniel Rowan, mechanical engineering, May 2024
  • Trinity Carl, real estate, 2023

Public Policy and International Affairs Program Junior Summer Institute

The Public Policy and International Affairs Program was started to address the lack of diversity across the spectrum of professional public service, including government, nonprofits, public policy institutions and international organizations. The Junior Summer Institutes prepare fellows for graduate studies in public policy, public administration, international affairs, or a related field.

  • Luis Campos-Santos, political science, May 2024