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Sarah Glisson ‘26 Named A Truman Scholar
(PDF) (DOC) (JPG)April 24, 2026
Sarah Glisson '26: Ramapo College's First Truman Scholar
Glisson is the first student in Ramapo College history to receive the prestigious national award
MAHWAH, N.J. — Ramapo College of New Jersey has reached a historic milestone as Sarah Glisson ‘26 has been named a 2026 Truman Scholar, becoming the first recipient in the College’s history of the nation’s premier graduate scholarship for aspiring public service leaders.
Glisson, of Cinnaminson, N.J., is among selected from 781 candidates nominated by 305 colleges and universities nationwide. Her selection places Ramapo College among a distinguished group of institutions recognized for developing the next generation of public service leaders. Ramapo College and Princeton University are the only two New Jersey institutions with Truman Scholars this year, and Glisson is one of only two New Jersey residents to receive this honor.
“This moment is bigger than me, and it’s bigger than Ramapo College,” said Glisson. “To be Ramapo College’s first Truman Scholar is a testament to the way that students are encouraged and supported here on campus. It is a new chapter for our institution, one where I get to serve as another example of what Ramapo students are capable of achieving.”
“Sarah’s selection as Ramapo College’s first Truman Scholar is an extraordinary achievement and a proud moment for our entire community,” said Ramapo College President Cindy Jebb. “This national distinction is the result of a highly talented individual served by a learning environment defined by individualized faculty mentorship, small class engagement, and sustained leadership development opportunities that challenge students to apply their education in real time.”
Glisson learned of the honor while presenting her senior research, The Political Framing of Socialized Medicine in America, at the College Honors Symposium, when the announcement was made during opening remarks delivered by President Jebb.
Her research examined how media framing during major healthcare policy debates — from the Great Society programs to the Affordable Care Act — has shaped public attitudes toward reform. The work reflects a long-standing interest in healthcare access, informed by personal experiences navigating the healthcare system.
“Healthcare access is not just an affordability issue; it’s about access and quality,” Glisson said. “My goal is to pursue a career in public service where I can help address these disparities and improve outcomes for communities like my own.”
Glisson’s interest in public service took shape during her first year at Ramapo through the course New Jersey Policy Issues, where she began connecting her passion for healthcare to state-level policy. Patrick O’Connor, who taught the course, recognized her potential early.
“Sarah’s level of intellectual curiosity and ability to ask the right questions about public policy was very impressive,” said O’Connor, Ramapo’s Vice President for Government Relations.
With his support, Glisson secured an internship during her sophomore year with in the 39th Legislative District, where she conducted research on education funding and energy policy — further strengthening her interest in public service and governance.
A Dean’s List student every semester, Glisson has distinguished herself as a civic leader at Ramapo. As a first-year student, she participated in Leaders in Service, a program that introduces new students to civic engagement through service and leadership development. In her second year, Glisson completed the Sophomores Advancing in Leadership program. She was also an ambassador for the Andrew Goodman Foundation at Ramapo, where she helped bring awareness to the tragedies in the 1964 Freedom Summer by designing a moving on-campus 60th anniversary exhibition.
In her work with the Center for Community and Civic Engagement, she led campus-wide voter registration and civic engagement initiatives, for which she was named to the 2025 ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge Student Voter Honor Roll.
She was named Alternate Student Trustee in her junior year and is finishing her term as Student Trustee on the Ramapo College Board of Trustees.
Next week on April 30, she will receive the Outstanding Leadership by a Senior Student at the 2026 Student Leadership Awards ceremony.
On May 14, Glisson will graduate summa cum laude with her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and minor in Public Policy, and address the Class of 2026 as the Ramapo College Commencement student speaker at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.
Her experience reflects Ramapo College’s emphasis on hands-on learning, civic engagement, and strong mentorship — preparing students to translate classroom learning into meaningful public impact.
Established by Congress in 1975 as a living memorial to President Harry S. Truman, the Truman Scholarship supports future public service leaders through funding for graduate study, leadership development, and access to a national network of policymakers. The highly competitive award recognizes academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to careers in government or the nonprofit sector.
Glisson now joins a community of just 3,673 Truman Scholars named since the first awards in 1977.
This recognition underscores the strength of Ramapo’s academic programs and continued success in preparing students to compete for and be awarded prestigious national and international fellowships and scholarships. Most recently, Ramapo celebrated Franco Miyashiro ‘27 as the College’s first Goldwater Scholar.
As a Truman Scholar, Glisson will receive funding for graduate studies, leadership training, and opportunities for internships and fellowships within the federal government. This summer, she will intern in the government relations office at Virtua Health, supporting policy research, legislative analysis, and advocacy efforts that directly impact healthcare access and delivery. She plans to pursue a graduate degree in public policy administration and attend law school, with long-term aspirations of elected office.
“Be scared—and do it anyway,” Glisson said, when asked what advice she would give to other students considering renowned scholarships. “You never know what’s possible unless you take that first step.”
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About Ramapo College
Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s premier public liberal arts college and is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. The comprehensive college is situated among the beautiful Ramapo Mountains, is within commuting distance to New York City, was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America by CondeNast Traveler, and boasts the best on-campus housing in New Jersey per Niche.com. Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, data science, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include business, education, nursing and social work. In addition, the College offers courses leading to teacher certification at the elementary and secondary levels, and offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice. To learn more about Ramapo College, visit .
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