University announces 2025 Global Scholars


Thu, 01/30/2025

author

Christine Metz Howard

LAWRENCE — Representing diverse academic fields and countries from around the world, 15 University of Kansas second-year students have been selected as the 2025 cohort of Global Scholars.

In its 14th year, the Global Scholars Program recognizes and encourages undergraduate students who have an interest in international studies and a strong academic record. Elizabeth MacGonagle, associate professor of history and African & African-American studies, directs the program. 

The 2025 cohort represents students in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and schools of Business, Engineering and Music. The students are from around the world, including Brazil, India, Nepal, Rwanda and Saudi Arabia, as well as Kansas, Missouri and Colorado.

 “The Global Scholars program is fortunate to have such an academically talented and diverse cohort eager to map out international research experiences. I know that these students will pursue their interests in global studies with passion and determination as they prepare for leadership roles in the international arena,” MacGonagle said.

The scholars were competitively selected for their interest in integrating internationalism into their undergraduate experience and potential for high academic achievement and leadership.

This spring the students will participate in the three-hour weekly seminar Digital Humanities, Technology and Postcolonial Cultures taught by James Yeku, associate professor of African digital humanities. The course will cover how the digital humanities promote the democratization of knowledge and access to information while considering the gaps and absences in the field.

As part of the Global Scholars Program, each student will work with a faculty mentor with similar interests on an internationally focused research project. The scholars will present the results of that research during the spring semester of their senior year.

The 2025 Global Scholars Symposium, featuring research presentations from the senior cohort of students, will take place at 3:30 p.m. April 10 in the Kansas Union’s Malott Room. The public is invited to attend. 

2025 Global Scholars

Alexander Brady, from Kansas City, Kansas, is a music major in flute performance. His parent is Desiree Brady.

Regan Byrnes, from Overland Park, is majoring in anthropology and sociology. Her father and stepmother are Brian and Sharla Byrnes, and her mother is Monica Byrnes.

Elizabeth Fecteau, from Rossville, is an international studies major. Her parents are Keli Huddleston and Paul Fecteau.

Nicasio Jurani, from Lenexa, is majoring in biochemistry and Spanish. His parents are Danielle Stebbins and Carlo Jurani.

Mia Keene, from Denver, is majoring in political science and math. Her parents are John and Morghan Keene.

Quinn Luce, from Kansas City, Missouri, is a history major. His parents are Jennifer Copeland and Mark Luce.

Isabel Mathew, from Overland Park, is a biology major on the pre-med track. Her parents are Valliyatharayil Jacob Mathew and Denny Thomas.

Esperanca Monteiro Henson, from Rio de Janeiro, is majoring in history and political science with a minor in business. Her parent is Arilane Monteiro de Araújo. 

Joel Munyaneza, from Kigali, Rwanda, is a mechanical engineering major. His parents are Epaphrodite Munyaneza and Joseline Nikuze.

Naveena Ninan, from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is a molecular, cellular & developmental biology major. Her parents are Ninan Geevarghese and Lini Ninan.

Abhilasa Raut, was born in Nepal and has lived in Maryland, North Carolina, California and Kansas. She is majoring in behavioral neuroscience and human biology. Her parents are Anita Raut and Bikash Raut.

Aislinn Reekie, from Manhattan, is majoring in political science and global & international studies. Her parents are Marcella and Ian Reekie.

Mansha Sharma, from Lagos, Nigeria, and Bangalore, India, is a behavioral neuroscience major. Her parents are Ashwani Kumar Sharma and Meetu Ashwani Sharma.

Harini Sreekanth, from Bangalore, India, is majoring in political science and philosophy. Her parents are Preetha Padinjaremuttikkal and Sreekanth Murugan.

Tristan Wight, who is from Overland Park and has lived in Illinois, Thailand and China, is a business analytics major. His parents are Josh and Melanie Wight.

Thu, 01/30/2025

author

Christine Metz Howard

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Christine Metz Howard

International Affairs