WASHINGTON – Howard University alum Kamryn Nelson (B.A. ’21), has been named a 2023 Luce Scholarship recipient. The scholarship program was created to enhance understanding of Asia among future leaders in America. Nelson is one of 18 awardees this year. Nelson becomes the second Howard student to receive this prestigious award.

“I am honored to be selected by the Henry Luce Foundation as the second Howard University student to become a Luce Scholar. This opportunity allows me to bridge the gap in culture and showcase the black identity outside of America in the fastest growing region of the world, Asia,” said Nelson. “It truly took a village to raise me in order to have this opportunity. I want to thank my family and some of my professors at Howard, Dr. Middlemass and Dr. Grant, for helping and encouraging me throughout this long and grueling application process.” 

Established in 1974, the Luce Scholars Program is a nationally competitive fellowship that offers early-career leaders immersive, professional experiences in Asia. The fellowship aims to forge stronger relationships across geographic borders by creating opportunities for young Americans to deepen their ties and understanding of the countries, cultures, and people of Asia. Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, the Luce Scholars Program provides stipends, language training, and individualized professional placement in Asia for 18 Luce Scholars each year.

Nelson was born and raised in the southside of Chicago. He is a 2022 graduate of Howard University, receiving a B.A in Political Science and a B.A in History. His career interest is in dismantling education inequality through public policy and volunteerism. This began in high school when he worked for his city’s Board of Education, helping to address food insecurity in and organizing the "March Against Violence” in his community. This work expanded when Nelson attended Howard, where he took part in many internships on Capitol Hill, became active in student government, and volunteered at local high schools by providing SAT prep and college financing advice. While his passion is in education, his interests are multifaceted. Currently, Kamryn is an Anchor Producer on MSNBC’s primetime news show, The Reidout with Joy Reid. He wishes to attend graduate school to further his education in public policy and education.

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