2021 Global Scholars announced


LAWRENCE — The Global Scholars Program has selected 15 University of Kansas sophomores as 2021 Global Scholars.

In its 10th year, the Global Scholars program, directed by Megan Greene, associate professor of history, aims to recognize and encourage undergraduate students who have an interest in international studies and a strong academic record.

Representing diverse academic fields from across campus, the 15 students were competitively selected for their demonstrated interest in integrating international studies into their undergraduate experiences and potential for high academic achievement and leadership.

In the spring semester, the group will participate in a three-hour weekly seminar, “Sociocultural Foundations of Mind and Experience,” taught by Glenn Adams, professor of psychology. As part of the Global Scholars Program, each student will be paired with a faculty mentor with similar interests to work on an internationally focused research project. The scholars will present the results of that research during the spring semester of their senior year.

“We are super excited about this year’s cohort of Global Scholars,” Greene said. “They will bring a great diversity of perspectives to the Global Scholars seminar and to their individual research projects. I am looking forward to working with them.”

The 2021 Global Scholars:

Chloe Dean, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, is a political science major with a minor in history. Her parents are Rebecca Likens, Russell Likens and Bradley Dean.

Dulani Hannadige, of Colombo, Sri Lanka, is a global & international studies major. Her parent is Dinusha Kumarajeewa.

Virginia Hannahan, of Fairhope, Alabama, is on the pre-law track majoring in English and philosophy with a minor in political science. Her parents are Tommy and Bridget Hannahan.

Samuel Harder, of Wichita, is majoring in economics and mathematics. His parents are Scott and Stephanie Harder.

Poonam Keshary, of Olathe, is a microbiology major on the pre-medicine track. Her parents are Sudhira Keshary and Jyoti Raj Keshary. 

Ryan Lee, of Overland Park, is a microbiology major. His parents are Jennifer Lin and Victor Lee.

Miranda McDaniel, of Omaha, Nebraska, is a psychology major on the pre-medicine track. Her parents are Ross and Angela McDaniel.

Mary Morrison, of Lawrence, is majoring in political science and global & international studies with a minor in African & African diaspora languages. Her parents are Tiffani Bryant and Shawn Schwartz.

Lily Nguyen, of Wichita, is majoring in global & international studies and East Asian languages and cultures with a focus on Japanese. Her parents are Dai and Maihoa Nguyen.

Jimin Park, of Topeka, is majoring in global & international studies, East Asian languages & cultures and political science with minors in intelligence studies and environmental studies. His parents are Sangyoub Park and Sunyoung Cheong.

Gita Regmi, of Kansas City, is a mechanical engineering major. Her parents are Upendra Regmi and Nuna Regmi. 

Roman Ruiz, of Topeka, is majoring in Spanish as foreign language education. His parents are Roman Ruiz and Linda Ruiz.

Emma Russin, of Orono, Minnesota, is majoring in civil engineering with an environmental emphasis. Her parents are Mike and Catherine Russin.

Marah Shulda, of Shawnee, is a chemical engineering major with an emphasis in biology. Her parents are Marlys and Brian Shulda.

Cynthia Volinic, of Owasso, Oklahoma, is a linguistics major. Her parents are William Volinic and the late Deborah Volinic.

Updated on: 12/15/2020