Board of Regents student rep earns prestigious Truman Scholarship

As a member of Iowa's Board of Regents, Rachael Johnson isn't afraid to speak up. She's not shy about asking questions. She has an opinion, and she shares it.

Johnson - a University of Northern Iowa junior serving as the board's student representative - might be 30-plus years younger than many of her fellow regents, but she stands out as a leader. And the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation has noticed.

Last week, Johnson, 21, became UNI's first Truman Scholarship recipient - earning her a spot among 62 students nationally who are to receive $30,000 for graduate school, along with opportunities to participate in professional development programs aimed at prepping her for a career in public service leadership.

'My first reactions to hearing the news were pure shock, excitement and disbelief,” Johnson told The Gazette in an email. 'Then, after letting the news settle for a few hours, I started to realize the opportunities that this had just created for me and the shock quickly turned to gratitude.”

Johnson said she first learned the news following a regent subcommittee meeting dedicated to campus safety and security. UNI President Mark Nook pulled her into his office.

'He said that he had some amazing news to share,” she said. 'He then proceeded to congratulate me on being chosen as UNI's first Truman scholar.”

The Truman award is heralded among the country's top honors - touted by the likes of former Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, ABC News Anchor George Stephanopoulos and new U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch.

Johnson - a double major in elementary education and middle level education from Sioux City - said the 6-month-long application process was, in itself, a gift - forcing her to think critically about her future and the impact she aspires to make in education.

'After being appointed to the Board of Regents ... I was exposed to a completely different side of education - the administrative, governance side,” she said. 'I soon realized that my contribution to the field of education need not be limited to a classroom.”

She admitted her goals are broad and her mind is open - meaning 'I have no idea where my career will take me.”

'Ultimately, through my work on this issue, I want to be seen as a change agent who works hard for the betterment of students in both higher education and K-12 education,” she said.

For this year's Truman Scholarship, 768 candidates were nominated by a record 315 colleges and universities. The 199 finalists were interviewed in March and early April.

'When I first saw the application and its complexity, I really did give some thought to the question, ‘Do I have a chance?' ” Johnson said.

But after processing the application's questions, Johnson said she realized it didn't matter.

'These questions would help me to further define my passions, reflect upon the change I hope to make and explore the different paths in front of me,” she said. 'The application process was difficult and really forced to me to look deeply at myself.”

Although Johnson said she's still exploring various graduate school possibilities, her plan for the scholarship 'is to make sure that every penny I have received is invested wisely.”

'I feel as though I have a duty to be a good steward of these funds,” she said.

Specifically, Johnson said, she's looking for a graduate program that is both meaningful and challenging.

'I am also looking for a program that recognizes and appreciates the many aspects of education: governance, administration, learning, teaching and policy,” she said.

Following the announcement of Johnson's scholarship, Board of Regents President Bruce Rastetter said his colleague exemplifies 'the kind of student that quality public education can produce and is a credit to the University of Northern Iowa and the Board of Regents.”

Board of Regents Executive Robert Donley said he's been 'continuously astonished” by Johnson's ability to comprehend 'highly complex and confidential issues, listen to all of the key stakeholders and take leadership in making recommendations and implementing strategies in both problem resolution and strategic policy development.”

He added of her character, 'Rachael's gift is that she has the ability to approach complex and often emotionally charged issues with grace and calm.”

This year's award recipients will be honored at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum on May 28.

l Comments: (319) 339-3158; vanessa.miller@thegazette.com