In 2021, the V Jordan and Patricia N. Tanner Endowment was established to provide a scholarship for BYU students interested in pursuing a career in diplomacy. Jordan Tanner, who spent his career as a US diplomat, explained that he hoped the endowment would enable students to pursue this important career path: “In the world we’re living in today, diplomacy has never been so critical,” he said. “I strongly encourage students who have an interest in living abroad, and for furthering diplomatic relations of the American government, to consider taking the Foreign Service exam and hopefully become a Foreign Service Officer.”
The Kennedy Center is pleased to announce that this year, three excellent candidates were chosen to receive the US Diplomacy Scholarship: Will Ford, Nina Harris, and Emma Hardy. They were selected based on academic achievement, leadership and extracurricular accomplishments, and commitment to pursuing a career in diplomacy.
Will Ford, from Ellhorn, Nebraska, is double majoring in Economics and International Relations with a minor in Math. His interest in diplomacy led him to join the Foreign Service Student Organization at BYU, which is where he first heard about the Diplomacy Scholarship. He says, “I figured that it aligns well with my career plans, and I decided to apply!”
Ford says he is deeply interested in careers at the intersection of economics and foreign policy. “Serving as an economic officer in the Foreign Service would be incredible,” he says, “but I'm also considering careers in economic and policy research.” The scholarship will help him cover his expenses as he pursues his undergraduate degree so that he can “lock in to do as well as I can in preparing to pursue these careers!”
To any students considering a career in diplomacy, he recommends, “TAKE. THE. FSOT (Foreign Service Officer Test) as soon as possible! Don't worry about how you'll do the first time. It won't hurt your chances to take it just to see what it's like, and taking it will expose you to the process of becoming an FSO (Foreign Service Officer).”
Nina Harris, an International Relations major from Bountiful, Utah, will graduate in 2027. She’s been interested in joining the Foreign Service since she was in high school and says, “I’ve been preparing to become a diplomat by studying foreign affairs, learning a second language, and gaining as much international experience as I can!”
She first heard about the scholarship from James Mayo, scholarships coordinator at the Kennedy Center—“He is such an amazing resource for students who want to study and work abroad,” she says—and when she heard it’s specifically for students interested in diplomacy, she knew it was a great fit. She says, “Receiving this scholarship will support me during the final year of my undergraduate degree as well as after graduation because I plan to join an intensive language immersion program abroad.”
To other students considering applying for the scholarship, she says, “I would give three pieces of advice. First, don’t be too intimidated by the biographies of past recipients. It never hurts to apply. Second, take the Foreign Service Officer Test. The scholarship application specifically asks whether you have taken the test, so taking it will strengthen your application. It’s also free and great practice! Third, talk to James Mayo! He can help you with your application and introduce you to similar scholarships.”
The final recipient is Emma Hardy of Tokyo, Japan; she will graduate in April 2027 with a major in Economics and a minor in Japanese. She initially heard about the award from Harris, her fellow recipient. “Since we both want to pursue a career in diplomacy, and because she knew about my internship with the United States Forces in Japan, she told me I would be a strong applicant.” What prompted her to apply, though, was recalling advice from her mother: “Throughout college, there have been many moments of self-doubt, especially when applying for jobs, scholarships, and internships. My mom has always reminded me that I will never know what opportunities are possible unless I try. I would rather know that I gave something my best effort than regret never taking the chance. “
Hardy is pursuing a career in the Foreign Service, which she hopes could eventually bring her back to Japan, where she lived for five years. “Receiving this scholarship will help me achieve this goal by strengthening my graduate school applications and providing financial support as I continue preparing for a career in the Foreign Service,” she says.
Her advice to other students interested in this scholarship is “to never doubt your experiences or what you have to offer. Just because you may not fit the mold of the ‘perfect’ applicant does not mean you should count yourself out. Often, it is your unique experiences and perspective that make you stand out. One piece of advice that has stayed with me is, ‘You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.’ Don't be afraid to apply for scholarships, internships, or opportunities that seem out of reach. Even if one opportunity doesn't work out, another door will open and lead you toward the path you are meant to follow.”
Interested in learning more about this scholarship? Click here.