Institute

JoEllen Marsh, a sophomore intelligence studies major at Mercyhurst College, will spend the 2010-2011 academic year studying in Amann, Jordan, thanks to a National Security Education Program (NSEP) David L. Boren Scholarship.

Watch a video clip of JoEllen.

Marsh, of Lander, Pa., learned last week that she is among a distinguished group of U.S. scholars to earn the coveted award. Boren Scholarships allocate up to $20,000, enabling recipients the opportunity to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin American and the Middle East.

Marsh chose to study at the University of Jordan because she has a strong interest in Middle Eastern culture and foreign languages.

“Jordan has a great reputation for language study and is known for being welcoming to foreigners; I’m thrilled to have this opportunity,” said Marsh, who would like one day to work in the federal government, either as an intelligence analyst or foreign service officer.

Boren Scholars represent a variety of academic backgrounds, but all are interested in studying less commonly taught languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Swahili. Marsh studies Arabic at Mercyhurst.

Besides being an outstanding student, she is involved in the college community as editor of “The Merciad” student newspaper, co-president of the Mercyhurst chapter of Amnesty International and has performed with the college’s concert choir.

“She is an extraordinary student who deserves this,” said her adviser and intelligence studies faculty Kristan Wheaton, J.D. “Her performance in and out of class is exemplary, her desire to study abroad and to serve her country are both unquestioned and her talent for languages is a natural. This scholarship is a perfect fit for her.”

The application process, Marsh said, was demanding, but worth the experience.

“You learn a lot about yourself and what your goals are when you go through the application process,” she said. “I definitely think it prepares you for grad school and for applying for other scholarships.”

Students interested in acquiring more information about the Boren Scholarship program can contact Father Steven Simon, the campus representative for Boren Scholarships, at ssimon@mercyhurst.edu or Dr. Candee Chambers, Prestigious Awards Program Director, at cchambers@mercyhurst.edu.