{"id":158342,"date":"2026-04-27T15:39:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T20:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/?p=158342"},"modified":"2026-04-27T15:39:05","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T20:39:05","slug":"first-generation-student-mississippian-named-ums-21st-truman-scholar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/first-generation-student-mississippian-named-ums-21st-truman-scholar\/","title":{"rendered":"First-Generation Student, Mississippian Named UM’s 21st Truman Scholar"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Aminata Ba to focus on civil, voting rights while earning law degree<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Aminata Ba<\/strong> became the first person in her family to attend college in 2023. Now, the Southaven<\/strong> resident has become the University of Mississippi<\/strong>‘s 21st Truman Scholar<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
University of Mississippi Chancellor Glenn Boyce (right) congratulates junior economics and public policy leadership major Aminata Ba on becoming the university’s 21st Truman Scholar during a surprise announcement in his office. Ba will receive up to $30,000 toward completing a graduate degree and will gain access to internship and employment opportunities in the federal government. Photo by Srijita Chattopadhyay\/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Chancellor Glenn Boyce<\/strong> congratulated Ba during the surprise announcement recently, when many of the junior’s\u00a0Ole Miss<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>mentors gathered to support her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We are so proud of Aminata,” Boyce said. “Her dedication to her studies and commitment to public service are exactly what earned her this scholarship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“She exemplifies the very best of our university, and she will represent us well anywhere she goes.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\u00a0Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0formally announced recipients today (April 24).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each winner will receive up to $30,000 toward completing a graduate degree and will gain access to internship and employment opportunities in the federal government. The scholarship, established as a tribute to the 33rd U.S. president, selects awardees who are dedicated to careers in government or public service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ba, a junior\u00a0economics<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0public policy leadership<\/a>\u00a0major, wants to continue her focus on civil and voting rights while she pursues a Juris Doctor<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I’m shaking; I can’t even stand still,” Ba said in the moments after Boyce told her the news. “I have been dreaming of this for \u2013 I don’t know how long.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ethel Scurlock<\/strong>, dean of the\u00a0Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College<\/strong><\/a>, was on the panel that first interviewed Ba for the\u00a0Stamps Scholarship<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0after she applied to Ole Miss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Ethel Scurlock (left), dean of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, congratulates Aminata Ba on being selected as a 2026 Truman Scholar. Photo by Srijita Chattopadhyay\/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

“Aminata has displayed integrity, intelligence and a heart for servant leadership since she was in high school,” Scurlock said. “The Truman award just confirms what we already knew: Ami is an exceptional leader and thinker. It was always clear that she would make a lasting impact on our campus and it has been a joy to watch her grow and glow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Ami works to makes things better when she shows up and I am confident that she will continue to make a positive impact in our state, the nation, and the world.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since high school, Ba has been a devoted advocate of the right to vote. At Ole Miss, she was a member of the\u00a0UM Voting Ambassadors<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and worked with\u00a0Mississippi Votes<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0to improve voting turnout and education in the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She has also advocated for civil rights on the international stage through the\u00a0Douglass-O’Connell Global Internship<\/strong><\/a>, where she worked with\u00a0AkiDwA<\/strong><\/a>, a national network of migrant women living in Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ba has also presented to the\u00a0United Nations<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0during a global town hall forum and served as a U.S. delegate for the\u00a0World Health Organization<\/strong><\/a>. She is a\u00a0Yale Law School Launchpad Scholar<\/a>, a\u00a0Coca-Cola Scholar<\/a>\u00a0and a\u00a0QuestBridge Scholar<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“When we submitted her application, I was not just impressed with her leadership, service and academics, I was inspired,” said Whitney Woods, assistant director of the\u00a0Office of National Scholarship Advisement<\/strong><\/a>. “The Truman application process is one that takes considerable time, effort and reflection while clearly articulating service and career goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Aminata approached every question, discussion and edit with grace and an openness to discovering her path.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The process of applying and interviewing for the Truman Scholarship has cemented what Ba already knew: She’s passionate about people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“No matter what happened, I knew this process had shaped me,” she said. “I truly found myself, and I think I understand why I care so much about the public and about public service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I’m ready to dedicate my life to serving others and the world around me.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Clara Turnage<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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