Stories

Claire Alford '25, a public health science major, was named an honorable mention for the 2023 Udall Foundation Scholarship.

The Udall Scholarship provides funding for sophomores and juniors for leadership, public service, and commitment to issues related to Native American nations or to the environment. Claire, a descendent of members of the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, applied through the Native Health Care track, to "enhance (her) ability to support the Native American community through accessible healthcare."

Only a handful of applicants not awarded scholarships are named honorable mentions, and Claire has the opportunity to apply again next year as a junior. Regardless of the outcome, Claire views the application process itself as very beneficial for her personal development, saying, "Applying to the Udall Scholarship helped me create a more focused plan of how I can use my public health education to empower Native American communities as a physician one day."

Claire's candidacy was and will be bolstered by her stellar academic performance and extraordinary record of service to her community, which includes her leadership of the Native American Coalition for Change and the Santa Clara Powwow, an annual celebration of indigenous culture held on campus, as well as her work co-authoring a resolution encouraging SCU to observe Indigenous People's Day. Additionally, Claire is very active in biology lab work and in promoting access to health care, including multiple efforts to distribute items for personal hygiene. 

"Every part of my Santa Clara University experience prepared me to be a competitive applicant for the Udall Scholarship: the Native American Coalition for Change, the Santa Clara Powwow, the local Indian Health Center and local Native American community, the Wheeler nanoparticle research laboratory, the Santa Clara University Department of Public Health, and Partners in Health Engages" said Claire. "A special thank you to Professors Suljak and Wheeler and the Office of Student Fellowships for supporting me in applying! Thank you, Santa Clara University!"

About the Udall Scholarship

The Udall Foundation awards scholarships to college sophomores and juniors for leadership, public service, and commitment to issues related to Native American nations or to the environment. In 2023, the Udall Foundation awarded 55 scholarships of up to $7,000 each. The Udall scholarship honors the legacies of Morris Udall and Stewart Udall, whose careers had a significant impact on Native American self-governance, health care, and the stewardship of public lands and natural resources. Learn more here.