Chemical Engineering Major Among 4 KU Students Nominated for Truman Scholarship

LAWRENCE — Four outstanding students have been selected as the University of Kansas nominees for Harry S. Truman Scholarships.  

The prestigious national awards, which provide up to $30,000 for graduate study, are given to college juniors for leadership in public service. They are highly competitive, with only about 60 Truman Scholars named nationwide each year.  

This year’s KU nominees:  

• Amelia Knopp, a junior in accounting and sociology. 
• Jaden Huehl, a junior on the pre-law track, dual -majoring in journalism with a concentration in multimedia and secondary education with a concentration in English.  
• Nora Jennings, a junior in chemical engineering with a concentration in material science and minor in creative writing.   
• Sasha Sharman, a junior/senior triple-majoring in behavioral neuroscience, philosophy and data science. 

Criteria for the nominations include an extensive record of campus and community service, commitment to a career in government or the nonprofit and advocacy sectors, demonstrated communication skills, a high probability of becoming a “change agent” and a strong academic record with likely acceptance to the graduate school of the candidate’s choice.  

The campus nomination process is coordinated by the Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships. Students interested in applying for the Truman scholarship in future years are encouraged to contact curf@ku.edu. CURF can nominate a limited number of students each year, with the next application cycle beginning in fall 2026.  

Scholars receive priority admission and supplemental financial aid at some premier graduate institutions, leadership training, career and graduate school counseling, and special internship opportunities within the federal government.  

Since 1981, 20 KU students have become Truman Scholars. Samuel Steuart was the most recent KU student to receive the honor in 2019.  

Congress established the Truman Scholarship Foundation in 1975 as the federal memorial to President Harry S. Truman. A national selection committee reviews applications from more than 800 nominees for the Truman Foundation. Approximately 200 students will be named finalists in late February and be invited to participate in regional interviews in March and early April. The scholarship recipients will be announced in late April.     

More information about KU’s nominees:     

Amelia Knopp 

Knopp, from Manhattan, is the daughter of Ryan and Erika Knopp and a graduate of Manhattan High School. She is majoring in accounting and sociology and is currently serving as a teaching assistant for ACCT 201 for the KU School of Business. Her community service includes organizing and volunteering at campus blood drives on the KU Blood Drives Committee, using her experience as a blood products recipient to advocate for the life-saving donation of blood. This work has also pushed her to continue to serve as an advocate for her committee in various KU student organizations, and she has delivered remarks at the National Blood Donor Month press conference at the Kansas State Capitol. Additionally, she is serving as the mentorship chair for the Business Leadership Program, the vice president of alumni relations for Delta Sigma Pi and as a member of the Dole Institute of Politics Student Advisory Board. She is also a former intern for KU Innovation Park. Knopp plans to attend law school to pursue her passions of environmental sustainability and inequality in public interest law and policy.  

Jaden Huehl 

Huehl, from Sylvan Grove, is the daughter of Jennifer and John Huehl and a graduate of Tipton Catholic High School. Huehl is dual-majoring in journalism and education on the pre-law track. She plans to attend law school and become a children’s rights advocacy lawyer, using her education degree to understand childhood development and school systems and her journalism degree to amplify the voices of marginalized groups. Huehl currently works as the producer of “Good Morning Indian Country,” a weekly Native news and information program, and as youth coordinator for Connect Church in Lawrence. On campus, she hosts “The Crimson Chat,” a weekly broadcast highlighting KU research and campus initiatives, and serves as a beat reporter for the University Daily Kansan. Huehl is a United Nations Millennium Fellow, a Trailblazers Mini-Grant recipient and a University Scholar. She dedicates her extra time to volunteering with organizations such as Foster Village, Home Works USA and Hearts for the Homeless. Some of her notable achievements include the Chancellor’s Scholarship, Hansen Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship, Vanier Family Scholarship, the David Partesky Honors Book Award and the Public Anthropology Award. 

Nora Jennings 

Jennings, from St. Louis, is the daughter of Brian Jennings and Melissa Qualls and a graduate of Webster Groves High School. She is majoring in chemical engineering with a concentration in material science and a minor in creative writing. Jennings aspires to earn a doctorate in materials engineering to pursue further research with solar technology at the National Lab of the Rockies (NLR). This was inspired by a previous internship at NLR where she obtained hands-on experience with solar research. She has also worked in the community as the founder and executive director of the 501(c) nonprofit the Solar for All Association. She has previously served as the campus director for the Millennium Fellowship, a peer mentor for Common Cause through the Honors Program and the mentor-mentee chair for the Society of Women Engineers. She is currently involved with the Chan research group, the Self Engineering Leadership Fellowship and works as a resident assistant. Jennings is also a member of multiple honors societies, including Phi Kappa Phi, Tau Beta Pi and the Mortar Board National Honors Society. 

Sasha Sharman 

Sharman, from Spokane, Washington, is the child of Natalya and Christopher Sharman and a graduate of Lewis and Clark High School. They are triple-majoring in behavioral neuroscience, philosophy and data science. They are also working toward a KU Service-Learning Certificate, Global Awareness Program certificate and are enrolled in the KU Honors program. Sharman is earning departmental honors in psychology and serves as the chair of the Student Senate Elections Committee, as a student representative on University Senate and as president of the KU chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America. Additionally, they are a member of the KU Debate Team and a University Scholar. They have also served as an honors seminar assistant for HNRS 190: Cultural Crossroads: Israel/Palestine and Listening to Place, working with Rami Zeedan, associate professor of Jewish studies.

Sharman plans to pursue a dual law and public administration graduate degree and work as a city attorney.