Phi Beta Kappa Announces 2026 Key into Public Service Scholars in Milestone 250th Anniversary Year
20 Undergraduate Changemakers Selected for Scholarship Program Connecting Arts and Sciences Students with Public Sector Pathways
WASHINGTON, DC — May 4, 2026 — The Phi Beta Kappa Society, the nation’s premier academic honor society and a leading national advocate for arts and sciences education, announces the 2026 recipients of its Key into Public Service scholarship program.
For 250 years, Phi Beta Kappa has championed a love of learning as a guide for life, equipping students with the knowledge, perspectives, and versatile skills needed to shape the future of their communities and the world around them. As the Society marks its milestone anniversary along with the nation, the Key into Public Service program reflects that commitment by supporting students who are inspired to turn arts and sciences knowledge into action through careers in public service.
Drawing inspiration from notable Phi Beta Kappa members who have shaped the course of the country, the program recognizes 20 exceptional arts and sciences students with a demonstrated interest in pursuing careers in local, state, and federal government. Alumni of the program have earned prestigious honors including Barry-Goldwater Fellowships, Fulbright Scholarships, Hertog Foundation Fellowships, Marshall Scholarships, NAACP Marshall-Motley Scholars, Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarships, Rhodes Scholarships, Truman Scholarships, and more.
Chosen from a highly competitive pool of nearly 800 applicants attending Phi Beta Kappa chapter institutions across the nation, the 2026 Key into Public Service Scholars hail from 18 states. These rising college juniors and seniors display notable breadth and depth across the arts and sciences. Their studies span fields such as biochemistry, economics, global affairs, history, mathematics, political science, and world languages, reflecting the interdisciplinary foundation that prepares students to navigate complex challenges, contribute to their communities, and serve the public good. Their career aspirations are just as diverse, ranging from serving as a state Solicitor General to a Senior Economic Policy Advisor for the Federal Reserve to a Health Policy Advisor on global cancer and noncommunicable diseases at the World Health Organization.
“An arts and sciences education prepares students not only to understand the world, but also to shape a future where democracy thrives,” said Phi Beta Kappa Secretary and CEO Frederick M. Lawrence. “The 2026 Service Scholars embody that spirit of engagement. They apply their learning to strengthen communities and advance the public good. At a time when thoughtful leadership and civic participation matter deeply, they show what it means to lead with knowledge, curiosity, and purpose.”
The Society congratulates the following exceptional students, their families, and chapter institutions:
Saami Baig, Rice University
Veronica Bofah, University of Notre Dame
Sophia Cheng, Northwestern University
Josh Crowley, Pomona College
Shay Doshi, Claremont McKenna College
Bella Faria, Arizona State University
Lillian Gessner, Duke University
Isaiah Johnson, Oberlin College
Ben Jones, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Fiona Lu, University of California, Los Angeles
Aisha Bello Makama, State University of New York at Buffalo
Angeline Morgado, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Trey Murnane, The Catholic University of America
Trenton Schroering, University of Kentucky
Fareed Salmon, Yale University
Benjamin Smith, University of Alabama
Aneesh Swaminathan, Johns Hopkins University
Parmesh Thakoordial, State University of New York at Albany
Finley Warren, Spelman College
Anne Wilber, Grinnell College
Notably, nine chapter institutions have a Service Scholar for the first time.
In celebration of their achievements and in honor of Phi Beta Kappa’s 250th anniversary, each 2026 scholar will receive a $7,600 undergraduate scholarship as a tribute to the Society’s student-driven beginning in 1776. Scholars will participate in an educational conference held in Washington, D.C., offering invaluable training, mentorship, and opportunities for reflection on pathways to active citizenship.
For more information about the scholarship and to access individual biographies of the recipients, please visit pbk.org/KeyintoPublicService.
About The Phi Beta Kappa Society
Phi Beta Kappa is the nation’s premier honor society, championing education in the arts and sciences for 250 years. We build a community where members can engage with peers and maintain their love of learning, and we use our platform to advocate for the arts and sciences, promoting their integral role in our communities, democracy, and institutions across the country. Our members apply their arts and sciences education to defy expectations and address society’s greatest challenges. As it marks 250 years, Phi Beta Kappa proudly continues to build a future where knowledge inspires action. Visit pbk.org to join us in amplifying the power of knowledge and to build a thriving future of opportunity.