Nov. 10, 2014
Senior politics major Sarah Hendley has been selected as a finalist for the Marshall Scholarship, which enables young Americans to study at the graduate level at a United Kingdom institution in any field of study.
Each year the Marshall Scholarship awards up to 40 scholarships, with eight of these scholarships for one-year programs, for which Hendley is applying. Scholarships are awarded to students who have the potential to excel as scholars, leaders, and contributors to improved United Kingdom-United States understanding.
Hendley will interview with the Marshall Scholarship D.C. regional committee on Nov. 14. If she receives the scholarship, she plans to attend the University of Manchester to study information and communication technology for development. She has already been accepted to the program.
Hendley, who is from Paducah, Ky., has been a delegate of SAGA, the Student Association General Assembly, since her freshman year. In spring 2014, she set a precedent by taking on the leadership role of the body as a sophomore, acting as speaker. She has served as the academic chairwoman for past two years and holds liaison positions with both the Office of the Provost and School of Arts and Sciences.
She is also a President's Society member, the administrative chair of the College Republicans, a Habitat for Humanity volunteer, member of the University Honors Program, and a part-time employee in the School of Architecture and Planning's library. In summer 2013, she studied in London, completing an internship with a member of the British Parliament, and, in fall 2013, attended the Leuven Institute in Belgium, taking a full course load while working for a member of the European Union.
While at CUA, Hendley has taken advantage of Washington's internship opportunities. She has completed internships with the United States House of Representatives, Senate, and Council on Foreign Relations. She currently serves as a policy and advocacy intern at Mercy Corps International.
Last year, Hendley was named a finalist for the Truman Scholarship, a national academic award of up to $30,000 toward graduate studies. She has also applied for a Fulbright Scholarship that would fund her study at the University of Manchester.
"We are enormously proud of Sarah," said Jennifer Paxton, clinical assistant professor of history, and assistant director, University Honors Program. "She has made the most of every opportunity CUA has to offer - including campus leadership, internships, service, and study abroad - all while maintaining a stellar academic record. She has a wonderful future ahead of her."
Upon completing her education, Hendley hopes to work in the international development field, specifically focusing on harnessing the power of mobile phones for development in sub-Saharan Africa.
"By utilizing a technology that already has considerable adoption, I hope to create and implement ICT4D (information and communication technologies for development) programs focused on micro-financing that promote sustainable, local markets and empower women," she explains.
"Sarah's academic achievements while an undergraduate have been significant," said Julie Yarwood, coordinator of distinguished grants and fellowships, University Honors Program.
"She has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to international government and economic issues, and she has amassed an impressive range of experience for someone her age. Beyond this, Sarah has consistently exhibited a genuine desire, willingness and ability to advocate for change in her local community, on her university campus, and in the global community.
"The Marshall Scholarship application requires a great amount of dedication. It has been my pleasure to watch Sarah develop clarity about her own future plans as she worked through various stages of the process. It is a great honor to have her represent CUA as a finalist in this prestigious national competition."
Founded by a 1953 Act of Parliament, and named in honor of former Secretary of State George C. Marshall, the scholarships commemorate the humane ideals of the Marshall Plan and express the continuing gratitude of the British people to their American counterparts. Marshall Scholarships are mainly funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom and are overseen by the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission.