Villanova junior Lezlie Hilario has been awarded a 2024 Harry S. Truman Scholarship. The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation carries on the legacy of the 33rd President’s dedication to education and public service.
This prestigious award commonly refers to its recipients as Truman Scholars. Nation wide, between 55 and 65 students seeking graduate education in the public service or government sector are chosen, making this award extremely selective and competitive. The 2024 cohort of scholars was made up of 60 students spanning 54 U.S. colleges and universities. One of 60, Hilario is a noteworthy contributor to the Truman legacy.
Scholars can receive up to $30,000 to be used for graduate school tuition, as well as receive access to amenities, such as priority admissions, mentoring from public service leaders and preferred hiring with the federal government.
Hilario’s achievement as the first Truman Scholar at Villanova University since Keith Martinez in 2015 and one of seven in University history marks a significant milestone in the University’s commitment to supporting students with ambitions for public office. Her accomplishment is not only a testament to her dedication but also paves the way for future students interested in public service.
“Villanova has so many great minds, so much talent and so many people with their hearts in the right place, and I’m glad to be a representative of that,” Hilario said.
Hilario exemplifies everything that it means to be a Truman Scholar. The award highlights campus involvement, outstanding leadership, great communication skills and a commitment to create change.
Hilario mentioned that receiving this scholarship left her shocked.
“Coming from a Title I school district, I never imagined that this would be what my future would look like,” Hilario said. “I’m blessed to be granted the opportunity to further my education and my dedication to public service. More than anything though, I am grateful for the chance to show what people of color and people from Perth Amboy are capable of achieving.”
The journey toward securing the scholarship was undeniably challenging. The multi-stage selection process is academically and mentally rigorous, rendering the selection all the more competitive. University faculty members first have to nominate a student that they believe represents the Truman values and has interest in the public service field. Each year, the University carefully selects four students from a pool of applicants. Subsequently, the Truman Foundation forwards additional applications for consideration, culminating in the selection of finalists who will undergo in-person regional panel interviews.
By the time that she made it to the final interview stage, Hilario’s situation was more complicated than most.
“I am currently studying abroad in the Dominican Republic, so for my in-person interview, I traveled to the States and was there for less than 48 hours before returning back to DR,” Hilario said. “ I showed up to my interview half jet lagged but I am very glad that it was all worth it.”
Her hard work did not go unnoticed.
“It took a lot of time, stress, and effort for me to be awarded a Truman,” Hilario said. “I found myself doubting that I would receive it in the first place. But I got it done, put in the work and I am beyond blessed for the outcome.”
Hilario will be graduating in the Spring of 2025 with majors in Political Science and Global Interdisciplinary Studies, as well as minors in Africana Studies, Public Administration and Peace & Justice. Beyond academics, she holds positions as the Co-Chair for the Latin American Student Organization (LASO), the Co-Facilitation Chair for the Association for Change and Transformation (ACT) and a student leader for BIPOC. Additionally, she is a flyer on the Villanova Cheerleading team and an active member of the SGA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Department. Lezlie’s unwavering enthusiasm to serve the campus community and promote minority inclusion is commendable.
She is undecided on her pursuit for the future, as her interests span far and wide. She stated that her passion for social justice and advocacy has pushed her towards wanting to “work for a nonprofit that focuses on the progression of Latinos or Black Americans, perhaps for organizations such as the National Urban League, VotoLatino or UnidosUS who have this mission as their focus.”
Whatever Hilario decides to pursue, there is no doubt that she will be a catalyst for change. Her achievements have certainly made Villanova proud.
