Thanks to your donations, the Straus Historical Society is pleased to announce that William Cano, Kelechi Dimgba, Sarala Duckworth, Ariana Lippi, and Carina Ritcheson have been selected to each receive a $5,000 Straus Scholarship. The Straus Historical Society Scholarship Program was created with the goal of supporting the continuing education of a graduate student whose professional goal is in the field of public service.
William Cano is enrolled at American University School of International Service pursuing a Master of International Affairs with a concentration in Global Governance, Politics, and Security. William is a United States Army Veteran and proud Mexican immigrant. William is driven by a desire to bridge cultural divides through informed and compassionate policy-making. At American, William has had the opportunity to engage in dialogues on inclusivity and equity, further fueling his ambition to effect change within the military structure and beyond. He aspires to establish training systems that broaden the perspectives of military personnel, promoting an understanding of cultural differences as a national asset. His ultimate aspiration is to become an ambassador, a role that symbolizes his commitment to public service and international cooperation.
"In pursuit of my "American Dream," I am not just chasing personal ambition; I am on a mission to catalyze change. Committed to serving with honor and leaving an indelible mark in the realm of international diplomacy, my journey exemplifies the transformative power of personal challenges in shaping a leader dedicated to public service and global cooperation."
- William Cano
Kelechi Dimgba is enrolled at Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs pursuing a Master of International Affairs with a concentration on Urban and Social Policy and a specialization in International Organization and U.N. Studies. Kelechi is a first-generation American and believes her biracial identity is crucial to defending human rights, as it gives her a unique perspective on complicated social issues. Her goal is to continue to develop solutions and policies to advocate for underserved international populations and to motivate health organizations to change the way they serve communities. She hopes to become a U.S. Agency for International Development Foreign Service Officer where she can apply both technical knowledge and a variety of program design, management, and evaluation expertise. She would like to develop policies that hire more women of color in healthcare.
"Even when I was in my father’s village, it was clear when I saw the lack of running water and access to healthcare there was a need to help underserved communities and eliminate economic disparities, especially for women. My purpose in life is to make an impact on the world."
- Kelechi Dimgba
Sarala Duckworth is enrolled at Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs pursuing Master of Public Administration with a concentration in International Development Practice. This concentration is a small STEM-designated program drawing civil servants from countries around the world seeking to drive impact on sustainable development. Sarala’s mission is to revitalize mass global attention and government investment in eradicating extreme poverty through her public service. Her early career experience in international and domestic non-profits exposed her to the political choices at the heart of eradicating poverty. Her calling is to challenge mischaracterizations of extreme poverty as inevitable and immutable.
"The seeds of inspiration I took from the legacy these leaders created revitalized my own belief in public service to create lasting impact that expands outwards for others, while bringing you into solidarity with communities both similar and near to you, as well as distant and foreign. It fuels my mission to gather and share locally grounded success stories of development initiatives to promote successful and replicable models that can be institutionalized within governments for sustainability."
- Sarala Duckworth
Ariana Lippi is enrolled at American University School of International Service pursuing a Master of Global Environmental Policy with a concentration in Policy and Law. Ariana has focused on the connection between gender-based violence and environmental injustices. They seek to understand the inextricability of the climate crisis with issues of inclusion, justice, and conflict, and strive to foster a more sustainable future for all. Ariana plans to enter federal service, as they believe it is one of the most impactful ways that they can contribute to public needs, keep communities safe from environmental risks and address environmental injustices.
"I am incredibly privileged to be able to have access to higher education. I was raised by a single working-class mother who encouraged me to be the first person in my family to go to college, and to do what she could not. I never would have believed or imagined myself as a scholar or a professional, but now all of that is in reach, and I want to help others achieve that goal. "
- Ariana Lippi
Carina Ritcheson is enrolled at Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University pursuing a Master of Law and Diplomacy with a concentration in International Security and Comparative Regional Studies. Carina’s goal is to defend American democracy and make the world a safer place. She hopes that she can do her part so that our humanitarians can respond to disasters, our soldiers have the intel they need going into conflict, our diplomats have a confident reputation to count on, Americans know they and their loved ones are as safe as they can be in a dangerous world. She will be interning at USINDOPACOM in Hawaii this summer working with both the J5 Directorate and the Foreign Policy Advisor.
"My optimism in life and for this country has found its place serving others. I truly believe that there is so much good to be done for others through government and in security studies."
- Carina Ritcheson
The scholarship committee and the judges are pleased to announce Bridgette Lang and Santiago Taborga as Honorary Straus Scholars for 2024.