OSU student named 2024 Truman Scholarship finalist
Monday, March 4, 2024
Media Contact: Sydney Trainor | Communications and Media Relations Specialist | 405-744-9782 | sydney.trainor@okstate.edu
Oklahoma State University junior Kylie Hammack has been selected as a 2024 Harry S. Truman Scholarship finalist for the premier graduate scholarship for aspiring public service leaders in the United States.
Hammack is one of 191 finalists selected from 709 applications and one of four finalists selected from Oklahoma. The rigorous selection process requires that good candidates have a strong record of public service, as well as a policy proposal that addresses a particular issue in society.
“My policy proposal on the application is about economic development and recovery in conflict zones,” Hammack said. “It's a lot different than a lot of people expect, but I'm really interested in sub-Saharan Africa.
“My proposal is to create certain zones, where there would be a focus on local production, as well as export production, which would allow for the development of a local economy and small businesses, but also the development of an export industrial base that these countries could build off.”
The Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, native was a Freshman Research Scholar studying the role of economic measures in predicting events of political unrest. That research sparked her interest in researching economic development, post-conflict reconstruction and international relations.
Hammack is double majoring in political science and economics with minors in French and intelligence and security analysis concentrating in global politics.
Becoming a Truman Scholar was always on Hammack’s radar. She even took an honors course that introduced her to national scholarship competitions and connected her to past Truman Scholars.
Hammack knew she wanted a career in public service and a role in the federal government, so with encouragement from mentors she applied knowing no matter what happened she would benefit from the opportunity.
“It has been my honor both to teach and to mentor Kylie along the path that brought her to the finalist stage in the Harry S. Truman Scholarship competition,” said Jerome Loughridge, OSU senior vice president of system operations and chief of staff. “To have reached this milestone is, itself, a notable achievement on Kylie’s part, given the Truman’s highly competitive nature and rich legacy of producing leaders who have had extraordinary impact as citizen-servants.
“Kylie evinces all the characteristics that the scholarship has come to embody, and I know she will acquit herself — and represent OSU — wonderfully in the competition. OSU’s own history of producing Truman Scholars is a testament to authenticity and efficacy of Cowboy culture, which Kylie exhibits in her service and leadership.”
Hammack has continued her research projects as a research assistant with Dr. Holley Hansen, political science teaching associate professor, and was named a 2023-24 Wentz Research Scholar but deferred her scholarship to study abroad at University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies during the fall 2023 semester to study development economics, conflict and politics of the Middle East and Africa.
“I began mentoring Kylie when she was in the Freshman Research Program, and even then, she dreamed about pursuing a career in international development. I have now worked with her for several years, and she continually impresses me with both her intelligence and drive to succeed,” Hansen said. “Kylie is a talented student and on-campus leader, and she is passionate about pursuing a public service career specializing in international development. She is exactly the sort of student who embodies the ideals of Harry Truman, a president who viewed education and public service as the highest calling for an American citizen.”
Hammack is an active member of the Honors College and served as vice president of the Political Science Club and French Club as well as a Student Ambassador for Joy Hofmeister’s gubernatorial campaign.
If she receives the Truman Scholarship, Hammack plans to pursue a dual masters degree at Georgetown University in foreign service and public policy.
"It's kind of perfect, because there are very few programs that allow for you to study the overlap between development and conflict, because it is such kind of a niche area,” Hammack said.
She hopes to have a career in the Bureau for Conflict Prevention and Stabilization at the United States Agency for International Developoment, specializing in post-war economic development.
Hammack and other finalists will participate in a regional interview on March 13 in Denver. For more information about the Truman Scholarship or the Henry Bellmon Office of Scholar Development & Undergraduate Research, please contact Jessica Sullins at Jessica.sullins@okstate.edu or 405-744-7313.