Rouse Named Truman Scholarship Finalist for N.C. A&T

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (March 3, 2026) – Terrence “Olu” Rouse has been named North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s finalist for the Harry S. Truman Scholarship, one of the nation’s most prestigious fellowships for students pursuing careers in public service leadership.

Rouse, a third‑year political science and economics student from Raleigh, North Carolina, is a February One Scholar in the Honors College.

“This recognition affirms what we have long known about Olu,” said Margaret I. Kanipes, Ph.D., Honors College dean. “He is a thoughtful scholar, a principled leader and a student deeply committed to meaningful change. He represents the very best of North Carolina A&T.”

The Truman Scholarship is among the most selective national awards given to undergraduates, recognizing students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, sustained leadership and a clear commitment to public service.

Finalists advance through a rigorous multi‑stage process that includes institutional nomination, regional review and a national interview. Students selected as Truman Scholars receive up to $30,000 toward graduate study, along with leadership training, mentorship, paid summer internship opportunities in Washington, D.C., and lifelong access to a national network of public service professionals.

Rouse is A&T’s fourth documented Truman Scholarship finalist, joining Julian Woods ‘22, Brenda Caldwell ‘21 and Kinnidy Coley ‘20.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to represent North Carolina and the largest HBCU in the nation as a Truman finalist. It is both an honor and a responsibility,” said Rouse. “A&T has prepared me to think critically about public problems and to lead with integrity, and I am grateful for the mentorship and support that have shaped my commitment to public service.”

Rouse has distinguished himself through a strong record of civic engagement, policy research and campus leadership. His work focuses on economic justice, democratic access and evidence‑based policymaking, particularly at the state level. He has led voter engagement initiatives and collaborated with nonprofit and government organizations to advance equitable fiscal and tax policy in North Carolina.

A John Lewis Young Leaders’ Fellow with the Robert and Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center, Rouse also is an undergraduate research fellow in the Roosevelt Network. His research in these roles analyzes how reparation programs, North Carolina guaranteed income programs, and progressive tax policy shape racial and economic disparities. He is also an alumnus of the American Economic Association Summer Program where he completed research on how community violence intervention programs impact crime in local United States municipalities. After graduating from A&T in 2027, Rouse plans to pursue a Ph.D. in public policy with a concentration in economics, committed to a career in public service and expanding research. He aims to be a senior lead in governmental affairs, focused on expanding democratic participation, distributional analysis and inclusive economic growth in North Carolina.

Established by Congress in 1975, the Truman Scholarship is administered by the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, created in honor of the nation’s 33rd president. The program supports college juniors from across the country who demonstrate leadership potential and a dedication to careers in public service.

The 2026 class of Truman Scholars will be announced no later than April 24.