American University Undergraduate Student Kruttika Gopal Named 2021 Udall Scholar
- Also named as honorable mentions are Rohan Arora of Virginia Commonwealth University and Aneesha Manocha of Princeton University.
Kruttika Gopal of American University is the lone Indian American among 55 students to be selected 2021 Udall Scholars. A 20-member independent review committee selected this year’s group of scholars on the basis of commitment to careers in the environment, Tribal public policy, or Native health care; leadership potential; record of public service; and academic achievement, the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation said in a press release announcing the winners. Each Scholarship provides $7,000 for the winner’s junior or senior year of academic study.
Rohan Arora of Virginia Commonwealth University and Aneesha Manocha of Princeton University were among 55 students who received ‘honorable mentions.’
Gopal, who grew up in Connecticut, is majoring in environmental studies and minoring in political science at American University. She is a member of the Honors Program and the School of Public Affairs Leadership Program, where she has conducted several research projects studying the impacts of environmental racism on community health. She aspires to work in environmental health policy so she can advocate for clean air for marginalized populations.
Gopal is the operations co-lead of AU’s Sunrise Movement, which fights for climate and environmental justice. This summer, she is interning with the Children’s Environmental Health Network. In her free time, she sings in an a cappella group, studies Indian classical music, and enjoys the outdoors.
The 2021 Udall Scholars will connect August 3-6 for the annual Udall Scholar Orientation to meet one another and program alumni; learn more about the Udall legacy of public service; and interact with community leaders in environmental fields, Tribal health care, and governance.
Since the program’s inception in 1996, the Udall Foundation has awarded 1,788 scholarships totaling over $9.1 million and 1,169 honorable mentions.