UNM alumna to interview for prestigious Rhodes Scholarship

Abrianna Morales, an alumna from The University of New Mexico, will travel to Denver this November to participate in the finalist interview for the Rhodes Scholarship, one of the most prestigious academic honors in the world.

Morales, a native of Las Cruces, graduated summa cum laude from UNM in May 2023 with BS in Psychology and Criminology. A 2022 Truman Scholar, she also participated in research through UNM's McNair Scholars Program and Psychology Honors Program.

Morales currently works as a program manager with the National Organization for Victim Advocacy (NOVA), overseeing the nationwide Victim Advocacy Corps. Funded by the U.S. Department of Justice's Office for victims of Crime, the Victim Advocacy Corps is a national pilot program that aims to elevate the next generation of leaders in victim services by providing college students with victim advocacy training, credentialing, mentorship, and a nine-month paid field-placement in a local victim service agency.

"It is an absolute honor to be selected as a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship and to have the opportunity to represent UNM and my fellow New Mexicans before the Rhodes Selection Committee," said Morales, reflecting on her selection as a finalist. "I could not have accomplished this without the support of the UNM community or the countless educators, advocates, friends, and family members that have been with me every step of the way. Thank you!"

The Rhodes finalist interviews will occur on Nov. 15 and 16 across 16 districts. Morales will complete in District 13, which covers Colorado, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming.

Each year, 32 American students are selected as Rhodes scholars based on their academic excellence, leadership abilities, and commitment to community service. Recipients earn the opportunity to study at the University of Oxford for two years, with the scholarship covering tuition, living expenses, and other academic expenses.

"Being named a Rhodes Scholar is more than just a two-year transformative experience at Oxford," said Kiyoko Simmons, who coordinates nationally competitive scholarships at the UNM Honors College. "It creates lifelong friendships with scholars from around the world. Abrianna is incredibly deserving of this honor. Her deep commitment to improving the lives of others and initiating meaningful change makes her an exemplary candidate."

If selected, Morales plans to pursue a two-year master's program in Political Thought at the University of Oxford.