PICS minor and Public Policy major Allison Tate has been named to the 2025-2027 cohort of recipients of the Voyager Scholarship, the Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service. The scholarship gives college students financial aid to alleviate the burden of college debt, meaningful travel experiences to expand their horizons, and a network of mentors and leaders to support them.
We spoke with Allison, a native of Whitehall, Michigan who was also a PICS Longwoods Fellow this past summer, about the Voyager Scholarship and how her time with PICS has helped to inspire her to a future career in piblic service. The interview is below, and you can learn more about the Voyager scholarship at Obama.org.
What inspired you to apply for the Voyager opportunity?
The Voyager Scholarship has long been a goal of mine. Since I first learned about it at U-M, I knew I wanted to pursue this opportunity to explore post-conflict policy through hands-on experiences and mentorship. The Summer Voyage will allow me to conduct research on peace conciliation in post-conflict societies, broadening my knowledge of transitional justice. The program’s mentorship component will connect me with diplomats and human rights practitioners, providing invaluable guidance as I prepare for a career in international public service. As a student from rural Michigan, being named a 2025–2027 Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholar for Public Service is an incredible honor. I hope my selection inspires students from similar backgrounds to pursue their goals with confidence.
How has PICS helped foster/nurture your public service goals during your time as a student with us?
The support I’ve received from PICS has been foundational to my growth in public service, particularly through the international opportunities I’ve been able to pursue. In Summer 2025, I held a joint internship in Cape Town, South Africa, with the End GBVF Collective and MOSAIC Training, Service, and Healing Centre. There, I contributed to the national implementation and local adaptation of South Africa’s 10-Year National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP-GBVF). My work included budgetary and performance analysis, monitoring and evaluation with frontline stakeholders, and participation in high-level planning sessions. In Summer 2024, I served as a Donia Human Rights Center Fellow, working with The Social Change Initiative in Belfast, Northern Ireland. I conducted research on human rights in post-conflict societies, culminating in the international publication of my paper: “Human Rights and Equality in Northern Ireland: Article 2 of the Windsor Framework Reaches the Courts—What’s at Stake?” Both summers were made possible by funding through PICS and the International Institute. Without this support, these professional experiences would not have been possible. They confirmed my passion for post-conflict reconstruction and peace conciliation policy and solidified my goal of advancing equity and justice through international cooperation.
What do you hope to gain from the Voyager experience?/What are your ultimate/dream career goals?
Through the Voyager Scholarship, I plan to explore the post-conflict human rights sector by blending international and domestic experiences. I envision spending May abroad conducting research in post-conflict states in Asia or Africa, followed by June and July at a federal agency in Washington, D.C., and August exploring international governance, ideally alongside the United Nations. After graduation, I intend to join the Peace Corps in the Youth in Development sector. This opportunity will allow me to engage directly with underserved communities, strengthening my intercultural communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills. Long term, I aspire to work within the United Nations, the U.S. State Department, or a global NGO to advance post-conflict human rights, governance, and sustainable development. My goal is to help rebuild institutions, strengthen justice systems, and foster reconciliation in vulnerable regions worldwide.
