Pace Student Named 2017 Truman Scholar

A Pace University junior is among one of 62 students to receive a 2017 Truman Scholarship, an award that provides $30,000 for the recipient’s graduate school tuition and the opportunity to participate in professional development programming in preparation for careers in public service leadership.

Pace’s recipient, Taslim Tavarez Garcia, a junior at the university’s Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, has a proven track record in the field of public service. A first-generation immigrant from the Dominican Republic herself, Garcia established a college application workshop for undocumented immigrants, called ABRIR (Advocates Bring Resources to Immigrant & Refugees).

As a political science major, Garcia interns at the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, and volunteers for the office’s “We Are New York” program, helping immigrant New Yorkers practice English through volunteer-led conversation groups.

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To be named a Truman Scholar, candidates go through a rigorous selection process. To better illustrate that point, in 2017 there were 768 candidates nominated by 315 colleges and universities. 199 finalists were interviewed in March and early April by a regional selection panel, 62 of which were selected to be new Truman Scholars. They will receive their awards in a ceremony at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum on May 28.

Having been previously awarded both the Jeanette K. Watson Fellowship and the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, Garcia’s ambition and success has not gone unnoticed. Even Pace’s president, Stephen J. Friedman, commented that Garcia “has distinguished herself as a striver who consistently embraces challenge. Her energy, enthusiasm, and record of success are an inspiration to all and Pace is proud to have her as a student.”

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