Michigan State University student Kaylin Casper has been named a national finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship.
The Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest international program of its kind, enabling outstanding young people from around the world to pursue graduate studies at the University of Oxford. According to a recent release, nearly 2,800 students started the application process for the scholarship. Only 238 were named finalists, and 32 were ultimately selected for the award.
Casper is a fourth-year MSU Honors College student majoring in sociology through the College of Social Science and humanities pre-law through the College of Arts and Letters. She is pursuing one minor in American Indian and Indigenous studies, and another in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and sexuality studies.
Since graduating from John Burroughs High School and coming to MSU from Burbank, California, Casper has been a Giving Back Award finalist, a Truman Scholarship finalist and the university’s 14th Udall Scholar.
“Kaylin’s leadership and advocacy have enriched the Spartan community,” said Honors College Interim Dean Glenn Chambers. “She represents the best of the Honors College – driven by curiosity, guided by courage and committed to making a positive impact in the world.”
“I am deeply honored to have been selected as a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship,” Casper said. “This recognition reflects the support and mentorship I’ve received from my professors, friends and communities at Michigan State University and beyond.”
“The daughter of a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Kaylin aspires to become an attorney who uses her talents to improve the opportunities available to Native communities. Given her prodigious intellect and strong moral drive, I have no doubt that she will succeed,” said Casper’s faculty mentor John Waller, who is an associate professor and director of the university’s Social Science Scholars Program.
Casper is a Social Science Scholar and holds multiple leadership positions at MSU, including general assembly representative for the Associated Students of MSU, board member for the North American Indigenous Student Organization and member of the Land Acknowledgement Plaque Committee.
“Chi Miigwech to my mom, Aunt Bunny and Grammy, who teach me every day what it means to carry the strength and wisdom of Native women forward,” Casper said.
Please contact Melanie Brender at brenderm@msu.edu for media inquiries on this story.