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Junior Lindsay Paiva has been named a finalist for the Harry S. Truman Scholarship, a federal scholarship awarded to college juniors with exceptional leadership potential who are committed to careers in public service. The scholarship provides up to $30,000 for graduate school.
Paiva, an English major from Coventry, R.I., is one of 197 finalists from 134 institutions. More than 600 students were nominated for this highly competitive scholarship, which will be awarded to 60 students this year. Paiva is Connecticut College's third finalist in four years.
One of three finalists from Rhode Island, Paiva plans to pursue a graduate degree in Education Policy and hopes to eventually work directly on education policy at the state level.
"Schools reflect the nation's larger power imbalances, and most educators and policymakers neither identify nor address these apparent inequalities," Paiva said. "I hope that throughout my career, I can reform education so that schools no longer replicate power imbalances, but will instead offer the skills necessary to challenge institutional racism, sexism, classism and homophobia."
Paiva is a scholar in Connecticut College's Holleran Center for Community Action and Public Policy, an interdisciplinary academic center that prepares students for civic engagement and leadership through research, service and collaboration with community partners. An avid volunteer, Paiva has served an ESL tutor, an America Reads tutor, a needs assessment researcher with the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut and a volunteer play guide with the Providence Children's Museum. She is also a member of the women's cross country team and a founding member of the College's chapter of Students Against Drunk Driving.
"Lindsay is extraordinarily bright, affable and inquisitive, and she has the quality of perseverance," Education Professor Michael James said. "What I really value about Lindsay is her commitment to a more democratic education."
Paiva, who is pursuing her Connecticut teaching certification through the College's Education Department, hopes to make a difference by developing state-level policies and reforms.
"I am not satisfied working within a broken system, and in upholding parameters and rules in which I do not believe," she said. "I hope to use my training in critical pedagogy to advocate for social justice and to redefine schools as sites of liberation rather than oppression."
The Truman Scholarship Foundation was established by Congress in 1975 as the federal memorial to the 33rd president of the United States of America. The foundation awards scholarships for college students to attend graduate school in preparation for careers in government or elsewhere in public service. The activities of the foundation are supported by a special trust fund in the U.S. Treasury.
Lindsay Paiva '12 named Truman Scholarship finalist
03/9/2011
Lindsay Paiva '12 in Italy, where she is currently studying abroad at The Umbra Institute.
Paiva, an English major from Coventry, R.I., is one of 197 finalists from 134 institutions. More than 600 students were nominated for this highly competitive scholarship, which will be awarded to 60 students this year. Paiva is Connecticut College's third finalist in four years.
One of three finalists from Rhode Island, Paiva plans to pursue a graduate degree in Education Policy and hopes to eventually work directly on education policy at the state level.
"Schools reflect the nation's larger power imbalances, and most educators and policymakers neither identify nor address these apparent inequalities," Paiva said. "I hope that throughout my career, I can reform education so that schools no longer replicate power imbalances, but will instead offer the skills necessary to challenge institutional racism, sexism, classism and homophobia."
Paiva is a scholar in Connecticut College's Holleran Center for Community Action and Public Policy, an interdisciplinary academic center that prepares students for civic engagement and leadership through research, service and collaboration with community partners. An avid volunteer, Paiva has served an ESL tutor, an America Reads tutor, a needs assessment researcher with the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut and a volunteer play guide with the Providence Children's Museum. She is also a member of the women's cross country team and a founding member of the College's chapter of Students Against Drunk Driving.
"Lindsay is extraordinarily bright, affable and inquisitive, and she has the quality of perseverance," Education Professor Michael James said. "What I really value about Lindsay is her commitment to a more democratic education."
Paiva, who is pursuing her Connecticut teaching certification through the College's Education Department, hopes to make a difference by developing state-level policies and reforms.
"I am not satisfied working within a broken system, and in upholding parameters and rules in which I do not believe," she said. "I hope to use my training in critical pedagogy to advocate for social justice and to redefine schools as sites of liberation rather than oppression."
The Truman Scholarship Foundation was established by Congress in 1975 as the federal memorial to the 33rd president of the United States of America. The foundation awards scholarships for college students to attend graduate school in preparation for careers in government or elsewhere in public service. The activities of the foundation are supported by a special trust fund in the U.S. Treasury.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Amy Martin, 860-439-2526, a.martin@conncoll.edu or Deborah MacDonnell (860) 439-2504, dmacdonn@conncoll.edu
