Inaugural Class of Shelby Scholars Selected

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Shelby Institute for Policy and Leadership recently announced the 39 students selected as the inaugural class of Shelby Scholars - an undergraduate program within the Institute.

"It's an honor to be selected as an inaugural Shelby Scholar," said Samad Gillani, president of the Student Government Association from Hoover, Alabama. "We are all excited to benefit from this program, learn from accomplished leaders and better understand policymaking. I believe the group's multidisciplinary makeup will lead to meaningful conversations about the various qualities of leadership impacting policy and public service."

In 2023, Senator Richard Shelby donated his congressional materials to The University of Alabama to be archived for research and academic purposes and to benefit future leaders. Following his donation, the Shelby Institute for Policy and Leadership was created and endowed through appropriated federal funds and funds from The University of Alabama.

Finis E. St. John IV, executive director of the Shelby Institute for Policy and Leadership and UA System Chancellor and Trustee emeritus, expressed enthusiasm about the program's impact: "We look forward to working with these outstanding scholars. We know that these students will be leaders in the future in many fields, and our goal is to help prepare them for successful careers."

As part of their curriculum, Shelby Scholars will participate in two exclusive classes this academic year: a speaker series featuring local, state and national leaders and a course on the Constitution's role in modern society led by former UA Law School Dean and Shelby Institute Academic Director Mark E. Brandon.

Shelby Scholars will also receive curated professional mentoring and education to participate in selective experiential learning opportunities like internships and undergraduate research.

The Shelby Scholars program offers a credit-bearing curriculum designed to provide students from any academic field with a deep understanding of policy and public service through unique programming, experiential learning, and interactions with prominent guest lecturers.

The inaugural class of Shelby Scholars includes:

Hannah Adams, Birmingham

Kalleigh Ahern, Brentwood, Tennessee

Jack Allison, Birmingham

Ella Kate Brooks, Sylacauga

Olivia Brown, Homewood

Taylor Carnley, Opp

Maria Derisavi, Great Mills, Maryland

Alexandra Dunn-Cordova, Bellevue, Washington

Olivia Frazier, Birmingham

Samad Gillani, Hoover

Katherine Gray, Tuscaloosa

Aubrei Grisaffe, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Andrew Hall, Birmingham

Hudson Hanner, Gardendale

Raegan Harris, Duncanville

Pierce "Jack" Harris III, Guntersville

Emma Hou, St. Louis

Alton Hudson, Huntsville

Marah Inman, Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Sophia Lotzow, Bainbridge, Indiana

Teegan Mathey, Aurora, Illinois

Cameron Morgan, Butler

Hannah Newman, Ooltewah, Tennessee

Bennett Ogle, Farragut, Tennessee

Ally-Anna Outlaw, Brundidge

Morgan Patrick, Hoover

Autumn Pernell, Tuscaloosa

Julienne Pharrams, Deatsville

Chloe Pickle, Hamilton

Michael Regnier, Wake Forest, North Carolina

Finley Richardson, Saraland

Claire Roberts, Tuscaloosa

Matthew Savas, Crystal Lake, Ilinois

Counts Shanks, Springdale, Arkansas

William Shelby, Tuscaloosa

Samantha Simmons, Hartselle

Taylor Simmons, Cullman

Andrew Stovall, Winfield

Reagan Wells, DeFuniak Springs, Florida

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