Eight University of Richmond Graduates Awarded Scholarships to Study at Oxford

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND — Eight recent graduates from the University of Richmond have been awarded full scholarships to continue their education at the University of Oxford. 

Philanthropists Robert S. Jepson Jr. and Alice Andrews Jepson created the Jepson Scholars Foundation in 2019 to provide a limited number of full scholarships for graduating seniors to attend a one-year master’s program of their choosing at the University of Oxford.

“The Jepson Scholars Program prepares tomorrow’s leaders by integrating global learning and leadership development, educational pillars prized by both the University and the Jepsons,” said Sandra Peart, dean of the Jepson School of Leadership Studies. “Jepson Scholars gain firsthand experience living in an international environment, which in turn leads to a more holistic understanding of the world at large.”

This year’s Jepson Scholars are:

Amal Ali, a leadership studies and political science major and health studies minor from Richmond, Virginia. While at UR, Ali studied health policy and completed internships at the Virginia Department of Health Internship Academy as well as the Virginia General Assembly. She will continue this work by pursuing a Master of Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government at Oxford.

Nora Buell, a leadership studies and chemistry major from Duxbury, Massachusetts. Buell is interested in pediatric health, and while at UR she interned with the Child Life Program of New York City’s renowned Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. At Oxford, she will pursue a Master of Science in Applied Digital Health.

Sanjna Kaul, a global studies major with a minor in German studies from Falls Church, Virginia. While at UR, Kaul received a Civic Fellowship from the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement to intern with the Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce. Kaul will pursue a Master of Science in Migration Studies at Oxford.

Alexander Konigsberg, a leadership studies and biology major from Wyckoff, New Jersey. A Presidential Scholar, Konigsberg was awarded a Burrus Fellowship from the Jepson School of Leadership Studies to support an internship with Global Surgical Expedition, a nonprofit that provides surgical care to underserved nations. At Oxford, he will pursue a Master of Science in Health Service Improvement and Evaluation.

Nandini Raisurana, a leadership studies and political science major from Mumbai, India. As an undergraduate, Raisurana studied international law and human rights at the London School of Economics and Political Science, received a Civic Fellowship from the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement to complete an internship with the Supreme Court of the United States, and interned at the Wilson Center, a global-affairs think tank in Washington, D.C. At Oxford, Raisurana will pursue a Master of Science in Refugee and Forced Migration Studies.

Jackson Sandler-Bussey, a leadership studies and global studies major with a minor in sustainability from New York, New York. While at UR, he studied abroad in Spain and Germany and served as a legislative intern in the Virginia General Assembly. He was also the inaugural editor-in-chief of the UR journal Araneum: Richmond Journal of American and Global Affairs. He will pursue a Master of Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government at Oxford.

Caleb Silvergleid, a history and philosophy major with a double minor in leadership studies and law and the liberal arts from Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. At UR, he was president of professional law fraternity Phi Alpha Delta, Student Conduct Council chair, and Mock Trial president. He will continue his study of medieval law at Oxford, where he will pursue a Master of Studies in History - Medieval History.

Abigail Smith, a leadership studies and psychology major from Henrico, Virginia. An aspiring counselor, while at UR Smith volunteered at the Henrico County Juvenile Detention Home, received a Burrus Fellowship from the Jepson School of Leadership Studies to intern with the Virginia Victim Assistance Network, and volunteered as a certified campus peer sexual misconduct advisor. She will pursue a Master of Science in Evidence-Based Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation at Oxford.

Since the program started, 27 University of Richmond students have received scholarships through the Jepson Scholars Program.                                                                         

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