Kylie Hammack

OSU student named first Marshall Scholar Finalist since 2010

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Media Contact: Jordan Bishop | Editor, Department of Brand Management | 405-744-7193 | [email protected]

Oklahoma State University senior Kylie Hammack became OSU's first student in 14 years to be a Marshall Scholarship finalist.

The Marshall Scholarship allows students to attend any university in the United Kingdom for up to two years, immersing themselves in new cultures while deepening their education and research interests.

Applying for national scholarships such as Marshall and Truman scholarships involves immense preparation. The application process can be grueling and challenging for students, requiring extensive knowledge of a specific study area.

"I would say research, in general, has been key in these application processes because you have to know what you're talking about," Hammack said. "Especially on your applications and interviews, they want someone very curious and passionate about a specific niche."

Hammack was one of a select amount to make the finals but received word in late November she wasn't selected for the Marshall Scholarship. However, she still plans to attend graduate school at a British university, opening the door for her to pursue her goal of working in national security or conflict stabilization for the government. Hammack plans to work with national and international security, focusing on Africa.

Hammack is a distinguished honors student, double majoring in political science and economics with minors in French language and intelligence and security analysis with a concentration in global studies.

She began her research endeavors in her first year after receiving the freshman Research Scholarship, tailoring her area of study to political violence and unrest in sub-Saharan Africa. Throughout her research, Hammack has excelled during the application process for many large-scale scholarships to which she is applying.

"It has been my honor to get to know - and to work with - Kylie over the last three years, first as a student in my Honors College seminar and then as an outstanding applicant for two nationally competitive scholarship opportunities," said Jerome Loughridge, OSU senior vice president, chief of staff and Hammack's mentor.

Constantly striving for more, Hammack was selected as a Wentz Research Scholar in her junior year but deferred the scholarship to this year. She decided to study abroad in London during the fall of 2023 at the School of Oriental and African Studies.

Hammack had the incredible opportunity to present her research at the American Political Science Association this past September in Philadelphia. She participated in the Cowboys in Cambridge program, spending two weeks at Cambridge taking a short course.

This summer, Hammack is interning at the International Foundation for Electoral Systems as a defense and security fellow in the Fund for American Studies Academic Internship Program. Hammack will receive academic credit from George Mason University, exclusive guest lectures and incredible networking opportunities.

"Two years ago, OSU set forth a strategy statement calling the university community to compete at the highest levels," Loughridge said. "What was imagined in that challenge was a student like Kylie: a young scholar of immense intellectual potential and strong academic achievement who embodies the attributes of servant-leadership and a commitment to the common good that animate Cowboy Culture.

"It is likely Kylie will win a prestigious scholarship - but she will certainly impact the world as an OSU Ideal Graduate."

Story By: Darby Rains | [email protected]

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