Newly reelected Student Government Association leaders Rozaireo Jones and Colin Street have been named finalists for the prestigious Truman Scholarship, the nation’s premier graduate fellowship for students pursuing careers in public service.

The Truman Scholarship recognizes students with outstanding leadership potential, a commitment to public service and academic excellence.

Both students will participate in the interview process April 13 in Washington.

Jones, a Fairmont native who serves as the student body vice president, is majoring in journalism with minors in history and political science. His advocacy work focuses on news reporting that helps people better understand political institutions, policy and the forces shaping those systems.

“My passion is both elevating voices that are traditionally not heard, and investigating and helping people understand the world and why it works the way it does, specifically when it comes to media, policy, political institutions and elections,” Jones said.

“There is a lot of movement and interests that guide our political landscape, and enlightening people about why institutions are failing, succeeding or existing in the first place is incredibly important.”

His commitment to public interest journalism grew out of lessons learned from his family.

“Growing up, I was always close with my teachers and also did a lot of community service with my dad,” he said. “Both function as a service to local West Virginia communities in different ways, but they taught me the importance of being there for your neighbor. My mom’s inclination toward teaching especially inspired me to want to educate people in my own way as a journalist.”

As a student, Jones gained professional reporting experience as a freelance reporter for 100 Days in Appalachia, interviewing Gen Z voters across the state and sharing their perspectives during the 2024 presidential election. He also worked as a press intern for U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin and as an intern with the Student Press Law Center.

On campus, he serves as student body vice president and leads efforts in supporting student opportunities and policy advocacy.

Jones credits WVU with helping him build the skills and connections needed to pursue not only the Truman Scholarship, but a career in journalism.

“WVU has helped me pursue this passion through opportunities to report on underserved communities for class and research, as well as connecting me with alumni who have succeeded in roles I also aspire to have,” he said.

Street, a Morgantown native and member of the Honors College who serves as the student body president, is pursuing degrees in political science, environmental and energy resources management, and multidisciplinary studies focused on rural community development, data science and history.

“My passion is to use public institutions to guarantee that everyone in West Virginia has the ability to live a fulfilling life in a healthy environment,” he said. “WVU has given me the intellectual foundation to explore theories and methods of change making, the community of mentors and peers to support me in undertaking bold initiatives, and the experiences that have challenged my worldview and pushed me to grow my understanding of the world.”

At WVU, Street has combined academic research with policy and community work focused on the state’s economic and environmental future.

As an undergraduate student researcher in the Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, he studies the needs of small farmers across West Virginia to help identify policies that could help grow a sustainable, non-extractive sector of the state’s economy.

Street has also worked in a variety of policy and advocacy roles, including president of the student body, legislative intern for Sen. Manchin, Climate Justice Emerging Fellow at the Roosevelt Network, National Environmental Leadership Fellow with the Rachel Carson Council, and as an Appalachian Solar Finance Fund intern with Appalachian Voices.

Looking toward the future, he said he hopes to build a career advocating for West Virginians through public service.

“I believe every single person deserves a strong advocate working to make their life better,” he said. “I want to be that advocate in the form of a West Virginia state legislator and WVU Extension agent.”

Jones and Street are among 198 from 136 institutions selected to interview with the Truman Foundation’s Regional Review Panels. Three finalists are from West Virginia.

Support for this application was provided by the WVU ASPIRE Office, which helps students pursue nationally competitive scholarships.

The Truman Foundation was established by Congress in 1975 as a living memorial to President Harry S. Truman. The Truman Scholarship aims to honor his legacy through supporting and inspiring the next generation of public service leaders. 

Scholarships are awarded to college juniors who demonstrate exceptional leadership and a commitment to public service, whether in government, nonprofit work, education, advocacy or other public sectors.

Scholars receive up to $30,000 toward graduate studies, professional development opportunities and access to a national network of Truman Scholars.