Sarah Skinner '18 Named Rhodes Scholarship Recipient

A senior at the United States Naval Academy, Sarah is an honors political science major with a Chinese minor. Her honors research is aimed at evaluating the overall effectiveness of middle power nations and middle power institutions in mitigating hegemonic competition and conflict between the U.S. and China. This past summer, she studied Taiwanese virtually through National Taiwan University.

Sarah has held multiple leadership posts at the Naval Academy and currently serves as a Company Commander responsible for 150 midshipmen. She joined the rugby team having never played the sport and last year was one of five finalists for the Sorenson Award, given to the nation’s top female collegiate rugby player. Sarah is currently the rugby team captain and was selected for USA Rugby’s Olympic Development Program. She also is a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society.

An honors student while at Marist, Sarah was actively involved in extracurricular activities including the Latin Honor Society, Marist Diversity Summit, Model Arab League, and National Honor Society, among others. She was a valuable member of the girls varsity basketball and soccer teams and received the Dean Hargis Award for Excellence in Athletics.

Sarah plans to pursue a Master of Philosophy in international relations at Oxford University. After completing the Rhodes Scholarship program, she will continue her naval service in the surface warfare community.

Rhodes Scholarships provide up to three years of study at the University of Oxford in England. Rhodes Scholars are chosen based on high academic achievement, integrity of character, a spirit of unselfishness, respect for others, potential for leadership, and physical vigor. The value of the Rhodes Scholarship varies depending on the academic field, the degree pursued, and the college chosen at Oxford. The Rhodes Trust pays all college and university fees, and transportation to and from England.