Ayanna Norman, a University of Mississippi junior, has been awarded a Voyager Scholarship, also known as the Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service. Submitted photo.
Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service to provide tuition funding, project support
by Erin Garrett
Ayanna Norman, a University of Mississippi junior, has been awarded a Voyager Scholarship, also known as the Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service.
A Corinth native majoring in allied health studies and psychology, Norman is the university’s first recipient of the award.
“We are thrilled for her award which recognizes her commitment to expanding public service to better serve Mississippi, the United States and other parts of the world,” said Vivian Ibrahim, director of the Office of National Scholarship Advisement. “Ayanna is an excellent student who is poised to accomplish great things with the help of this scholarship.”
Besides the $50,000 scholarship, Norman will receive a $10,000 stipend to explore national and global public service trends in a project of her choosing.
Norman, who ultimately plans to attend nursing school, aims to use her project to explore health care disparities in underserved communities and “identify effective interventions that can be applied on a global scale.”
“I am thrilled about the chance of creating and carrying out my own summer project, something that I can now actualize beyond just a dream,” she said. “This scholarship opens doors for me to travel, meet new people and experience different cultures and communities in ways I never thought possible for myself.
“I get to truly give back and continue my work in the most exciting and meaningful way possible.”
The Voyager Scholarship was created in 2022 by the Obamas and Brian Chesky, co-founder and CEO of Airbnb. The two-year scholarship program is open to students entering their junior year of college at an accredited four-year college or university, who have demonstrated a financial need and who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents or DACA recipients.
The 2024–26 cohort consists of 100 students from 44 states and territories, representing 88 colleges and universities across the United States.
The Ole Miss junior looks forward to networking with other Voyager scholarship recipients, as well as other leaders and mentors.
“This network will not only empower me to carry out my post-graduate plans, but also provide me with connections to enhance my outreach program that has the aim of supporting aspiring health care professions,” Norman said.
“Overall, the Voyager experience will equip me with the right tools and connections to make a lasting impact, something that I felt that I would only be able to envision doing.”
