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The Maryland Native Continues the College’s Legacy of Public Service Excellence

When Alexandra Alsobrooks-Laney, C’2027, learned she had advanced to the finalist stage of the 2026 Harry S. Truman Scholarship competition, she celebrated more than a personal achievement. She had joined a distinguished tradition of Spelman women recognized nationally for their commitment to leadership, scholarship and public service.

A rising senior majoring in history on the pre-law track, Alsobrooks-Laney was among a select group of finalists chosen from 781 candidates nominated by 305 colleges and universities nationwide. Independent selection panels composed of federal judges, elected officials, civic leaders and Truman Scholars evaluate candidates on academic excellence, leadership and dedication to public service. Reaching the finalist stage is a distinction in its own right.

“It was an incredible honor,” she said. “I didn’t know much about the program before I came to Spelman — I actually had to Google it.”

Once she learned about the scholarship’s mission, she immediately saw a connection between its focus on public service leadership and her own aspirations in law, public policy and elected office.

Getting there, however, was not easy.

While simultaneously pursuing applications for both the Truman Scholarship and the Yale Arthur Liman Fellowship, Alsobrooks-Laney found herself overwhelmed by the demands of two highly competitive opportunities. At one point, she informed Associate Dean DeKimberlyn Neely, Ph.D., C’96, that she planned to withdraw from the Truman process.

Neely quickly challenged that decision. “So many qualified students end up not applying,” Alsobrooks-Laney recalled her saying.

Then an unexpected three-hour flight delay became a turning point. Grounded and out of excuses, she opened her laptop and returned to the application she had nearly abandoned.

In her essays, Alsobrooks-Laney reflected on the influence of Bryan Stevenson, the public interest attorney, author of "Just Mercy" and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative. His work challenging mass incarceration and racial inequities within the criminal legal system helped shape her own commitment to justice.

“My Truman application experience didn’t break me,” she said. “It helped mold my story and the change that I hope to make in the world.”

Through internships and legal fellowships, she has witnessed firsthand the realities faced by young people navigating the justice system — experiences that strengthened her desire to pursue a career dedicated to advocacy and reform.

An Honor Rooted in Intellectual Rigor

Established by Congress in 1975 as a living memorial to President Harry S. Truman, the Truman Scholarship provides up to $30,000 for graduate or professional study in public service fields, along with leadership development, career counseling and access to federal employment opportunities. Since the first awards were given in 1977, the Truman Foundation has named 3,673 Truman Scholars, recognizing the nation’s most promising future public service leaders.

Beyond the award itself, Neely says the application process serves as a transformative exercise in reflection and professional development.

“Students who apply for the Truman Scholarship are pushed to think critically about their futures,” Neely said.

“The prompts are nuanced and require analytical writing skills. Students are required to draft a variety of responses, ranging from a statement about the graduate degree they intend to pursue to a policy statement that highlights a problem, solutions and potential obstacles. Essentially, the application process helps students clarify their goals, improve their interviewing skills and gain a competitive advantage when applying to graduate programs and other competitive scholarships.”

Stacy Washington, M.A., special academic programs manager in the Office of Undergraduate Studies, has worked closely with Alsobrooks-Laney throughout the process.

“Alexandra has a breadth of experiences beyond what one might expect from an undergraduate student and demonstrates a passion and tenacity toward creating equity and pursuing justice,” Washington said.

That commitment extends well beyond the Truman competition. Alsobrooks-Laney is also one of three Spelman students selected as 2026 Yale Arthur Liman Undergraduate Summer Fellows, a highly competitive public-interest fellowship that places students in legal organizations committed to advancing access to justice.

Neely believes Alsobrooks-Laney’s recognition reflects both her individual accomplishments and Spelman’s longstanding culture of leadership development.

“She has strong leadership skills, a history of public service and a distinguished academic record,” Neely said. “We are proud of her accomplishment and recognize that the best is yet to come for Alex.”

Grounded in a commitment to justice, civic engagement and community empowerment, Alsobrooks-Laney has built a record of service across legal, policy and advocacy spaces. She completed an internship with the D.C. Public Defender Service and served as a District Court Fellow at the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland under Judge Lydia Griggsby. On campus and beyond, she helped charter Spelman’s chapter of Black Girls Vote, provided volunteer service with Free Minds Book Club and completed a policy fellowship with the YWCA of Greater Atlanta’s Georgia Women’s Policy Institute, where she contributed to legislation aimed at reducing juvenile solitary confinement. Her experiences also include studying abroad in Florence, Italy, and Barcelona, Spain; completing the Braven Accelerator Fellowship; and serving as a communications intern in the office of Georgia State Rep. MeKyah McQueen, C’2001. She was initiated into the Eta Kappa Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., in spring 2025, continuing her dedication to sisterhood, scholarship and service.

Looking ahead, Alsobrooks-Laney is preparing for the LSAT, with Georgetown University Law Center among her future aspirations. She hopes to continue exploring juvenile justice advocacy while gaining additional experience in public-interest law and public policy.

I'm not completely sure that I want to litigate,” she said. “But all of these experiences are helping me figure it out. The Truman process helps you realize what you want to do and how to get there.”

ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½’s Rich Legacy of Truman Recognition

Truman Scholars

• Lisa D. Cook, C’86

• Stacey Y. Abrams, C’95

• Kemi Oyewole, C’2014

• Tayler Ulmer, C’2015

Truman Finalists

• Alexandra Alsobrooks-Laney, C’2027

• Lauren Proby, C’2025

• Chandler Nuttall, C’2023

• Nailah Reine Barnes, C’2022

• Jasmine McClam, C’2020

• Tyra Beaman, C’2016

(Alsobrooks-Laney pictured with Truman Scholarship finalists from Maryland)

Are You the Next Spelman Truman Scholar?
For students who are considering prestigious fellowships but questioning whether they belong in the applicant pool, Alsobrooks-Laney offers a simple message.

“We often tell ourselves no before someone else can do so. Don’t be discouraged. Just apply.”

The Truman Scholarship is open exclusively to college juniors who demonstrate outstanding leadership, a clear commitment to public service and strong academic records. Because the eligibility window is limited to one year, Spelman students are encouraged to connect with the Office of Fellowships and Awards early in their academic journey.

For more information, contact the Office of Fellowships and Awards in the Office of Undergraduate Studies or visit truman.gov.