A UNC student, Alexander Peeples, and a UNC graduate, Shauna Rust, have been awarded this year's George J. Mitchell Scholarship, a highly prestigious annual fellowship awarded to 12 scholars nationwide. The scholarship supports graduate studies in Ireland in a subject of their choosing, and covers housing, tuition, and a stipend for costs of living and travel.UNC is the only school that had two students win the scholarship this year.
“It was amazing to receive the news," Rust said. "It was a complete honor and a huge surprise that I was chosen."
While in Ireland, 2016 graduate Rust will be earning her masters in public policy focusing on health policy. She plans to learn how Ireland is reforming their healthcare system and pursuing universal health care.
“I knew I wanted to pursue graduate studies,” said Rust. “I wanted to study abroad. The scholarship peaked my interest — being able to get my graduate degree and live abroad for one year.”
Peeples, a senior and columnist for The Daily Tar Heel, will be earning his masters degree in international justice.
“I spent most of my career studying sub-saharan Africa and the global right to education,” Peeples said. “I thought Ireland would also be a good place to study this.”
The prestige of the scholarship has been recognized by the University, and Chancellor Carol Folt is proud to have two students from UNC be named as scholars.
“Being named a Mitchell Scholar is an exceptional achievement, and we are incredibly proud of both Alexander and Shauna for receiving this outstanding honor. Both students have shown their dedication to academics and giving back to our campus and local communities,” Folt said in a statement.
Both Peeples and Rust believe their time at UNC prepared them well for the opportunity to pursue and eventually receive the Mitchell Scholarship.
