Three students at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, have been offered Boren Awards by the National Security Education Program. Elan Fleetwood, Isabella Gheesling and Lauren Urbi will use the awards to fund their studies of languages and cultures abroad.
Boren Awards—including Boren Scholarships for undergraduates and Boren Fellowships for graduate students—provide up to $25,000 for language and cultural study in countries critical to U.S. national security. Recipients commit to working in the federal government for at least one year after graduation.
“The Boren Awards provide a unique experience to spend extended time abroad learning a critical need language and building the skills and capacity for long-term public service,” said Meredith Malburne-Wade, director of UT’s Undergraduate Research and Fellowships. “Our scholars, each with vastly different perspectives and interests in different parts of the globe, symbolize the importance of understanding languages, cultures and histories in order to create a safer and more stable future. Their dedication to their areas of study, their nation and our future is commendable, and we are delighted and grateful to follow their journeys forward.”
As Tennessee’s premier public university and a national leader in student success, UT is committed to supporting students in their academic and creative endeavors.
Meet the recipients
Fleetwood, who calls both Parker, Colorado, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, home, is working toward a master‘s degree in public policy and a certificate in national security.
She has accepted a Boren Fellowship and will pursue intensive study of the Vietnamese language in Vietnam through the Southeast Asian Flagship Languages Initiative, advancing her research and professional goal of specializing in Indo-Pacific security policy.
“I am beyond grateful to be named a Boren Fellow and have the opportunity to study intensively in Vietnam this coming school year,” said Fleetwood. “Developing Vietnamese language skills will not only advance my professional goals but have a deep impact on my personal life in connecting me with my family in a way that I have never been afforded before. I am extremely excited to experience the culture firsthand, develop a deeper understanding of local perspectives on the U.S.-Vietnam relationship, and look forward to returning to UT in fall 2026 with a new perspective on my studies and career path.”
Gheesling, of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is studying global studies, concentrating in global politics and economy, with a second major in Middle East studies, and will graduate this spring.
Gheesling has accepted a Boren Scholarship and will study the Arabic language in Jordan through daily tutoring, language partner sessions and cultural programming during the 2025-26 academic year.
“I’m incredibly honored to receive the Boren Scholarship,” said Gheesling. “It’s an opportunity that will allow me to build critical language skills and deepen my understanding of the Middle East while preparing for a future in public service.”
Urbi of Williston, North Dakota, is studying economics and political science with a minor in data science and will graduate this spring.
Urbi has accepted a Boren Scholarship to support her intensive study of the Korean language in South Korea, which will deepen her understanding of international relations and enhance her ability to contribute to public service.
“I am so grateful to be chosen for this scholarship because it affirms my commitment to public service and international engagement,” said Urbi. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue pursuing my goal of becoming a cultural bridge between the U.S. and other countries through language, diplomacy and mutual understanding.”
Undergraduate Research and Fellowships supports students through the application and interview processes as they apply for a range of nationally competitive fellowships, including the Boren Awards. Those who would like more information can visit the URF website and schedule an appointment to meet with its staff.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Maggie Palmer (865-974-3993, mpalme19@utk.edu)