Brilliant Young Woman Wins Rhodes Scholarship, Secures Two Fully Funded Master’s Degrees at Oxford

Duke University student Jenna Smith has won the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship, enabling her to pursue two fully funded master’s degrees at the University of Oxford while advancing her commitment to criminal justice reform, leadership, and advocacy.

A talented young scholar, Jenna Smith, a student at Duke University, has been awarded the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship, granting her the opportunity to pursue two fully funded master’s degrees at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.

The Rhodes Scholarship is one of the world’s most renowned academic awards, offering recipients full tuition, an annual living stipend of £18,180, and additional benefits such as a settling allowance, health insurance, visa costs, and round-trip economy flights to and from the UK. This year, Jenna was among 32 scholars selected from 865 applicants across the United States after earning her university’s nomination. Selection criteria include academic excellence, leadership potential, personal integrity, and a commitment to service.

Duke University President Vincent E. Price celebrated Jenna’s achievements, stating, “Jenna Smith is an exceptional thinker, leader, writer, and reformer. During her studies at Duke, she has been deeply involved in restorative justice through leadership, journalism, and civic engagement. I am delighted she has been selected for the Rhodes Scholarship, and I look forward to all she will accomplish during her time at Oxford and beyond.”

Currently pursuing a degree in International Comparative Studies with a minor in Journalism and Media as a Robertson Scholar at Duke University, Jenna has demonstrated outstanding leadership and advocacy. She serves as the co-president of the Duke Justice Project, collaborating with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety Division of Juvenile Justice to organize leadership development camps for youth. She has also worked with prominent organizations such as the Innocence Project, the Delta Center for Culture and Learning in Mississippi, and the Wilson Center for Science and Justice.

Jenna’s dedication to criminal justice reform extends to education and journalism. She co-instructs a course on correctional systems and re-entry processes, facilitates restorative practices with Restorative Justice Durham, and has reported for notable publications like the Chicago Tribune and the 9th Street Journal. Her journalistic work highlights marginalized voices and advocates for systemic change.

At Oxford, Jenna plans to pursue master’s degrees in Criminology and Criminal Justice, as well as Comparative Social Policy. Her ultimate goal is to return to the Mississippi Delta to practice law and advocate for transformative reforms in the criminal justice system, focusing on fairness and equity for underrepresented communities.

Jenna Smith’s remarkable journey exemplifies the power of education, leadership, and advocacy in driving meaningful societal change.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, SCHOLARSHIP REGION