Tufts student awarded the Udall Undergraduate Scholarship

Samantha Jonas, A26, has been selected to receive the Udall Undergraduate Scholarship. Jonas is a junior majoring in Race, Colonialism, and Diaspora Studies with a secondary major in Civic Studies and a minor in Education. Her Udall Scholarship focus is on Native American self-governance.

The Udall Scholarship Program identifies future leaders in environmental, Tribal public policy, and health care fields. It is highly competitive with students participating in their schools’ internal competitions before receiving consideration from the Udall Foundation. The Udall Undergraduate Scholarship honors the legacies of Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall, whose careers had a significant impact on Native American self-governance, health care, and the stewardship of public lands and natural resources.

Assistant Professor in the Studies in Race, Colonialism, and Diaspora Mary Amanda McNeil and Lecturer in Education Deborah Donahue-Keegan served as advisors and mentors to Jonas. Jem Shin, English PhD candidate and Program Assistant in Scholar Development, supported Jonas throughout the application process.

Samantha is only the 7th Tufts undergraduate selected as an Udall Scholar since 1996 and the first in the area of Tribal Public Policy.