�鶹��Ƶ alum Tiffany Tran awarded $8,500 fellowship

The recently announced the recipients of its . Fellowships totaling $649,000 were awarded to 62 of the nation’s top scholars at institutes with an active chapter of Phi Kappa Phi. Among those 62 awardees was �鶹��Ƶ alum Tiffany Tran ’22.

"When I was first notified that I had won, I was extremely surprised," Tran said. "It was a busy time for me as I was transitioning towards dental school and I was thrilled to hear that I was chosen for the Walter & Adelheid Hohenstein Fellowship which is given to the top-ranked candidate in each of the society's five divisions."

Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all disciplines. Established in 1932, the Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship has become the society’s signature award, providing funding for the first year of graduate or professional study. This year’s program awarded two awards at $35,000 each; the 1897 Fellowship and the Sherrill Carlson Fellowship; six $20,000 Marcus L. Urann Fellowships, named for the Society’s founder; and 54 fellowships of $8,500 each. Tiffany Tran sitting in front of "Your Moment is Here" mural on campus

Tiffany Tran sitting in front of "Your Moment is Here" mural on campus

The 2022 class of fellows represents students from more than 60 colleges and universities across the nation. The recipients—drawn from all academic disciplines—are pursuing post-baccalaureate programs of study ranging from science and engineering to arts and humanities.

Fellows are chosen based on the applicant’s evidence of graduate potential, undergraduate academic achievement, service and leadership experience, letters of recommendation, personal statement of educational perspective and career goals, and acceptance in an approved graduate or professional program.

"This fellowship is important to me as it represents the culmination of the hard work I have done while I attended �鶹��Ƶ," Tran said. "It is truly an honor to be chosen as a recipient of this graduate fellowship."

As a freshman, Tran, who majored in biology with a pre-dental track, entered the Reaud Honors College and was the recipient of �鶹��Ƶ’s prestigious Presidential Scholarship. She was a founding member of the Reaud Honors College Model United Nations Team and received the award for Outstanding Position Paper at the Texas Model United Nations Conference at the University of Houston in 2020. She also was the recipient of the National Model U.N. Conference Honorable mention. In just three semesters, Tran earned the credit hours required for Reaud Honors College Graduate status. In 2020, was awarded the Texas State University System Regents’ Scholar Award, an honor bestowed by TSUS Chancellor Brian McCall, Ph.D., based on student scholars’ outstanding academic achievement and scholarship, leadership abilities and contributions to the institution and community.

Tran served as a �鶹��Ƶ Ambassador, Student Government Association representative for the College of Arts and Sciences and then SGA president for 2021-2022. She also was active in student organizations Cardinals for Life and Pre-Dental Society. Tran also hosted a mock MCAT exam for pre-med students, built a “suggestion box” for students who were unable to attend SGA meetings or who had urgent concerns, implemented transitional framework for incoming elected SGA officials and played a key role in promoting the donation of unused student meal swipes to students in need. Tran graduated in May of 2022 with a bachelors degree in biology with honors and is currently enrolled in the Doctorate of Dental Surgery program at in Houston.

Phi Kappa Phi Fellowships are part of the Society’s robust portfolio of award and grant programs, which gives $1.3 million each year to outstanding members and students on chapter campuses through study abroad grants, graduate fellowships, funding for post-baccalaureate development, member and chapter awards, and grants for local, national and international literacy initiatives.