“You get a seat at the table with those who are out there changing the world.” – Katie Ameku ’25 named Rhodes Scholarship finalist
“It’s time to get to work,” Katie Ameku ’25 said to herself about a half hour after she was named a finalist for one of the most prestigious academic awards on the planet, the Rhodes Scholarship.
The fact is, she has been working diligently and relentlessly for years. The combination of her academic research, political action and community service has put Ameku at the precipice of being a Rhodes Scholar.
Rhodes Scholars receive up to three years of fully funded study at Oxford University in England, which includes a living stipend and transportation back and forth between the United States and the United Kingdom.
Ameku will be interviewing for the scholarship November 15-16 in Chicago. She is Coe’s third finalist in the past eight years.
Last year, Ameku was a finalist for the Truman Scholarship. Her preparation for the Rhodes began the same day the Truman scholars were announced. She received overwhelming encouragement from faculty and advisors at Coe, as well as other institutions where she has visited to conduct research, including the University of Pennsylvania this summer. The possibility of being a Rhodes Scholar holds immense promise for Ameku, who is dedicated to improving the world around her. She notes the connections and network at Oxford would rival the exceptional education.
“Being a part of that community would connect me with the right people for the rest of my life. It’s a community of changemakers and people who want to make the world better and advocate for everyone,” Ameku said.
The changemaker descriptor applies to Ameku, who is a physics and mathematics major. She is active with the Missouri Democratic party and organizes election efforts in her hometown of Independence, Missouri. On campus, she is a senior resident assistant and lobbied for Title IX training for researchers. She has conducted physics academic research, and also traveled to Georgia Tech and Penn to contribute to research projects as well.
“The multiplicity of her interests, and how those interests all come together into a complete package, is why I knew Katie would be a great Rhodes applicant and potential Rhodes scholar. She thinks expansively, she’s curious, she’s innovative, she’s not bound by traditional disciplinary constrictions and is actively looking for ways to move beyond what a traditional career path might entail,” said Associate Professor of English and National Fellowship Advisor Dr. Amber Shaw.
If Ameku is named a Rhodes Scholar she plans to pursue a philosophy, politics and economics degree. It’s a common academic background for those who may pursue a political role in the future.
In the meantime, she has stayed focused prepping for her interview, which included a practice mock panel of nine Coe faculty and alumni. To even earn finalist status, she completed two in-depth essays and had to procure eight letters of recommendation. For the essays, she could not seek any help, which is a stipulation of the Rhodes committee.
The eight letters of recommendation in particular can be a challenge for some applicants. Not for Ameku.
“For many potential applicants, marshaling eight close mentors to write letters is often a barrier. For Katie, we had trouble narrowing it down,” said Shaw.
“I’m thankful for that problem. It feels so great to have so many people advocating for me at Coe,” added Ameku.
Six letters came from Coe faculty, which Shaw helped coordinate. Shaw’s role has been critical for Ameku throughout both the Truman and Rhodes processes. As the national fellowship advisor, she dedicates time to help all Kohawks with fellowship or scholarship applications.
Each year, 32 Rhodes Scholars are chosen from the United States, two scholars from 16 Rhodes districts.
Rhodes Scholars will be named November 16 after district deliberations.