TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Shelby Institute for Policy and Leadership recently announced the 39 students selected as the inaugural class of Shelby Scholars — an undergraduate program within the Institute.
“It’s an honor to be selected as an inaugural Shelby Scholar,” said Samad Gillani, president of the Student Government Association from Hoover, Alabama. “We are all excited to benefit from this program, learn from accomplished leaders and better understand policymaking. I believe the group’s multidisciplinary makeup will lead to meaningful conversations about the various qualities of leadership impacting policy and public service.”
In 2023, Senator Richard Shelby donated his congressional materials to The University of Alabama to be archived for research and academic purposes and to benefit future leaders. Following his donation, the Shelby Institute for Policy and Leadership was created and endowed through appropriated federal funds and funds from The University of Alabama.
Finis E. St. John IV, executive director of the Shelby Institute for Policy and Leadership and UA System Chancellor and Trustee emeritus, expressed enthusiasm about the program’s impact: “We look forward to working with these outstanding scholars. We know that these students will be leaders in the future in many fields, and our goal is to help prepare them for successful careers.”
As part of their curriculum, Shelby Scholars will participate in two exclusive classes this academic year: a speaker series featuring local, state and national leaders and a course on the Constitution’s role in modern society led by former UA Law School Dean and Shelby Institute Academic Director Mark E. Brandon.
Shelby Scholars will also receive curated professional mentoring and education to participate in selective experiential learning opportunities like internships and undergraduate research.
The Shelby Scholars program offers a credit-bearing curriculum designed to provide students from any academic field with a deep understanding of policy and public service through unique programming, experiential learning, and interactions with prominent guest lecturers.
The inaugural class of Shelby Scholars includes:
Hannah Adams, Birmingham
Kalleigh Ahern, Brentwood, Tennessee
Jack Allison, Birmingham
Ella Kate Brooks, Sylacauga
Olivia Brown, Homewood
Taylor Carnley, Opp
Maria Derisavi, Great Mills, Maryland
Alexandra Dunn-Cordova, Bellevue, Washington
Olivia Frazier, Birmingham
Samad Gillani, Hoover
Katherine Gray, Tuscaloosa
Aubrei Grisaffe, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Andrew Hall, Birmingham
Hudson Hanner, Gardendale
Raegan Harris, Duncanville
Pierce “Jack” Harris III, Guntersville
Emma Hou, St. Louis
Alton Hudson, Huntsville
Marah Inman, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Sophia Lotzow, Bainbridge, Indiana
Teegan Mathey, Aurora, Illinois
Cameron Morgan, Butler
Hannah Newman, Ooltewah, Tennessee
Bennett Ogle, Farragut, Tennessee
Ally-Anna Outlaw, Brundidge
Morgan Patrick, Hoover
Autumn Pernell, Tuscaloosa
Julienne Pharrams, Deatsville
Chloe Pickle, Hamilton
Michael Regnier, Wake Forest, North Carolina
Finley Richardson, Saraland
Claire Roberts, Tuscaloosa
Matthew Savas, Crystal Lake, Ilinois
Counts Shanks, Springdale, Arkansas
William Shelby, Tuscaloosa
Samantha Simmons, Hartselle
Taylor Simmons, Cullman
Andrew Stovall, Winfield
Reagan Wells, DeFuniak Springs, Florida
The University of Alabama, part of The University of Alabama System, is the state’s flagship university. UA shapes a better world through its teaching, research and service. With a global reputation for excellence, UA provides an inclusive, forward-thinking environment and nearly 200 degree programs on a beautiful, student-centered campus. A leader in cutting-edge research, UA advances discovery, creative inquiry and knowledge through more than 30 research centers. As the state’s largest higher education institution, UA drives economic growth in Alabama and beyond.