MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University Honors student Victoria Grigsby has been accepted into the highly competitive Public Policy and International Affairs Junior Summer Institute at Princeton University.

The program is hosted by Princeton’s School of Public and International Affairs this summer and provides students with rigorous policy analysis and leadership development training.

Grigsby, a Buchanan Fellow and dual-degree major in political science and German with minors in economics and Honors, expressed various emotions upon receiving the news.

“I felt shocked and very grateful. I am so thankful to those who helped me write the application and build myself as a professional in public policy up to this point,” she said.

“Grigsby is the epitome of a well-rounded Honors student who embraces intense academic interest with a strong work ethic and a passion for serving others,” noted University Honors College Dean John Vile.

The PPIA fellowship covers tuition, course materials, housing, meals, travel expenses and a stipend during her visit to the New Jersey university’s campus. The program focuses on equipping students with essential public policy writing and research skills, with a special emphasis on quantitative methods. For Grigsby, the opportunity represents a crucial step toward her goal of a career in international relations.

Grigsby’s background in Taft, a small town in southern Middle Tennessee with a population of approximately 250 people, has given her a unique perspective on policy and leadership.

“I believe that in order to find equitable solutions to the issues we face as a society, we must include various voices and experiences in the conversation,” she said. “This translates into how I view international politics and policies, with both compassion and a desire to enact change.”

Grigsby is no stranger to prestigious academic opportunities. She was named a 2024 Delta Scholar and has previously received both the Fulbright US-UK Summer Institutes Scholarship and the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship. Her time abroad in Aberystwyth, Wales, and Marburg, Germany, has given her invaluable cross-cultural experiences that complement her aspirations in foreign policy.

Grigsby encourages other students to take advantage of similar opportunities, emphasizing the importance of campus involvement, academic balance, and faculty mentorship.

“I often encourage every student to strive for and apply to these opportunities. Through finding what you are passionate about and planning early for opportunities, you can attain competitive awards and experiences.”

As she prepares to embark on her journey to Princeton, Grigsby continues to set an inspiring example for MTSU students aspiring to make a global impact through public policy and international affairs.

— Robin E. Lee (Robin.E.Lee@mtsu.edu)