News & Recipients

USF Students Receive 2021-22 Boren Awards

Two University of South Florida (USF) students have received Boren Awards for the 2021-22 academic year. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense’s National Security Education Program (NSEP), Boren Award recipients Brenda Jiang and Nichole Peters will study languages in world areas underrepresented in study abroad and critical to national security. Additionally, Anya Higman and Alekhya Peddu were named alternates and may receive the award if additional funding becomes available. In exchange for funding, recipients agree to work in the federal government after graduation for a period of at least one year. Boren Awards select undergraduate (scholarship) and graduate (fellowship) students based on academic and professional achievement as well as evidence of desire to provide national government service and leadership in their respective fields.         

brendaBrenda Jiang
Jiang is a junior majoring in international studies and history at USF. With her Boren Scholarship, she will spend one year at Toyo University in Tokyo, Japan, studying in their NEST intensive Japanese program. After completing her studies at USF, Jiang plans to pursue graduate studies in human rights and international affairs and eventually work within the Department of State or Department of Justice on issues surrounding exploitation and human trafficking.

nicholeNichole Peters
Peters is pursing a Master of Science in Global Sustainability with a concentration in Water Sustainability at USF’s Patel College of Global Sustainability. With her Boren Fellowship, she will spend one year in Brazil at an immersive Portuguese language institute and study Brazil’s water resource management. Peters views the Boren Fellowship as a unique opportunity to bridge her experience in the U.S. Navy, her graduate studies in natural resource policy, and her passion for language proficiency. After completing her studies at USF, Peters plans to work for the Environmental Protection Agency or U.S. Geological Survey in natural resource management.

At USF, students work with the Office of National Scholars (ONS) and Boren Awards Advisor, Ms. Lauren Bartshe-Hanlen, on their applications. Undergraduate and graduate students at USF who are interested in applying for Boren Awards should contact Ms. Lauren Bartshe-Hanlen to schedule an advising appointment.