(Miami, FL.) March 31, 2004 -- The Honors College at FIU is proud to announce that Kelsey Renee Vaughan, an Honors College student majoring in International Relations, is the first Truman Scholar in FIU’s history. Kelsey was awarded the prestigious and highly competitive Harry S. Truman Scholarship after a successful interview held in Boston on March 15. She is one of only two winners from schools in the state of Florida (the other student is from UF). Nationally, she is one of 77 award recipients selected from 609 nominations and 200 finalists.

Although FIU has never had a Truman Scholar, two finalists have been selected in previous competitions. The scholarship aims to recognize college juniors with exceptional leadership potential who are committed to careers in government, the non-profit or advocacy sectors, education or elsewhere in the public service. Students are also selected on the basis of intellectual ability and likelihood of 'making a difference.' Each scholarship provides approximately $2,000 for the senior year and $24,000 for graduate study.

With the support from The Honors College, Kelsey was able to participate in an internship with the U.S. Embassy in Bolivia, where she studied and worked on issues of human trafficking and prostitution. Under the mentorship of Dr. Bill Beesting, Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Honors College Fellow, Kelsey wrote a policy statement for the Truman scholarship about the issues she had confronted during her internship, recommending the formation of an international coalition to control human trafficking. “We should take a more international approach to develop policies to stop human trafficking,” proposed Kelsey, who is currently enrolled in two independent study courses dealing with related topics, as well as Dr. Stephen Fain’s third year Honors seminar.

Kelsey has been particularly grateful for the support and mentorship she received from The Honors College, under the leadership of Dr. Ivelaw Griffith. “The work I have done in conjunction with the faculty [of The Honors College], especially Dr. Beesting, has been amazing,” says Kelsey. Dr. Fain and Barbara Bader, Director of Academic Programs and member of The Honors College Advisory Council, and Terrence Daru, Director of the Office of Foreign Missions, provided letters of recommendation that aided in Kelsey’s selection. In preparation for the Truman interview, James Sutton, Peter Hargitai, Joseph Patrouch, Rebecca Salokar, and James Webb from the FIU faculty, and Juan Sabater from Mt. Sinai Medical Center, participated on mock interview panels.

For more information about Kelsey’s 2004 Truman Scholarship Award, please visit http://www.truman.gov, under listings for the state of Maine, her state of permanent residency. Congratulations, Kelsey! FIU is proud of you.