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Northeastern undergraduate Social Work major Anthony Tamez has been named a 2025 Truman Scholar by the .

To earn the Truman Scholarship, applicants must meet the , which includes a plan to attend graduate school in pursuit of a career in public service. Truman Scholars receive up to $30,000 for graduate studies in public service-related fields, leadership development training, mentorship opportunities and access to federal government career services.

This highly competitive award is the premier graduate scholarship for aspiring public service leaders in the United States. Tamez was one of 54 awardees selected from 743 applicants at 288 colleges and universities. He is also the first student, on record, from Northeastern to receive this scholarship.

Born and raised on Chicago’s Northwest side, Tamez spent most of his life in the Albany Park neighborhood. He graduated from Frederick Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center in 2018 and attended the City Colleges of Chicago to earn his associate degree. His aunt, Fawn E. Pochel (B.A. ’21 History, M.A. ’23 Educational Leadership: Higher Education), currently serves as a Program Director for Northeastern’s Angelina Pedroso Center for Diversity and Intercultural Affairs.

“My aunt Fawn was a major influence in my decision to attend community college and transfer to a four-year state university,” Tamez said. “I also believe deeply in the mission of public state universities to serve the community and produce strong leaders grounded in community. Additionally, NEIU offers the flexibility and affordability I need as a full-time working adult and caregiver to pursue my education as a full-time student.”

In addition to his studies, Tamez is involved with the , co-founded the in Albany Park and works as the Communications Manager for the . Additionally, he serves as an elected official, representing Chicago’s 17th District on the Police Council, where he leads community engagement efforts as part of the City of Chicago’s . The 17th District includes the geographical area of ����Թ�’s Main Campus.
 
“What I enjoy most about NEIU is the supportive staff, especially within the Social Work Department and the Pedroso Center, who center NEIU’s diverse students' voices, uplift our leadership, and truly care about our success inside and outside the classroom,” Tamez said.

Tamez was nominated for the Truman Scholarship by Associate Professor of Urban Community Studies and Director of Nontraditional Degree Programs Kimya Barden, Ph.D. Though she never had Tamez as a student, Dr. Barden felt that his work outside of the classroom and his desire to pursue studying social work as a means to help people in his community were admirable.

“What really stood out to me about Anthony was his persistence,” said Dr. Barden. “NEIU really centers and prides itself on being a space to cultivate students — no matter their major — to have some semblance of care for another human being. This scholarship really highlights the student leader who seeks to transform policy and government. We have so many scholars like that at NEIU and the fact that Anthony was able to receive this recognition on a national stage is just phenomenal.”

Tamez plans to complete his undergraduate degree in 2026 and hopes he can inspire more Northeastern students to apply for, and hopefully win, Truman Scholarships in the future.

“Being awarded the Harry S. Truman Scholarship feels overwhelming, but in the best possible way,” Tamez said. “I am humbled to be the first Golden Eagle, proudly representing NEIU’s BSW students, to receive this honor. I’m excited to share this milestone as a pathway for future NEIU students — especially Native and Black students — to become part of future Truman Scholars cohorts because we are deserving of the recognition and opportunities like those provided by the Truman Scholarship.”