When Amy Shlossman took the elevator to the Regents Room in the Administration building, she was preparing herself to speak to students about the value of public service.
Instead, President Peter Likins greeted Shlossman, a public administration senior, with flowers and news that she had been waiting nine months to hear.
"Congratulations, you're the winner of the Truman Scholarship," Likins said, giving Shlossman the flowers and a hug.
The announcement left Shlossman, who is one of 80 recipients for the nationally competitive scholarship, stunned and momentarily speechless.
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation gives about 80 $26,000 scholarships to students around the nation who exhibit exceptional leadership potential and plan to pursue careers in public service, such as the government or nonprofit organizations.
Encouraged by her parents to volunteer in the community, Shlossman's activism in public service began her freshman year of high school when she took part in AIDS Walk Arizona, only to find a lack of student involvement. When she asked AIDS Walk organizers about the weak student participation, officials told her students were not a group the organization catered to.
Determined to increase students' roles in AIDS awareness, Shlossman researched the impact of AIDS on youth and presented her findings to AIDS Walk organizers, who still disregarded her request to recruit students.
But Shlossman, who said she puts 200 percent into everything she does, wasn't ready to quit.
She developed the AIDS Walk AZ High School Team Project, which involved more than 85 high schools. In addition, Shlossman convinced more than 150 local businesses and restaurants to donate prizes for walkers. Her efforts resulted in raising $17,000 for AIDS education and research.
"Perseverance is key to much of your success," Likins told Shlossman.
Shlossman, who created a student body community service director position at her high school, said students are willing to volunteer, but they need the proper outlet.
"We need to get more opportunities for youth to get involved in the community," she said.
At the UA, Shlossman established the Aurora Foundation's Social Entrepreneurship Program, which promotes civic activism among students. Additionally, she is the student director for the Eller College Business Ethics Board and project coordinator for Early Outreach Project.
Shlossman said EOP implements programs at the middle school level that "focus on higher education" and encourage students to contribute to their communities.
Likins called Shlossman's accomplishments "extraordinary" because Shlossman played a vital role in organizing and getting others involved.
Karna Walter, the assistant director for international studies and scholarships for the Honors College, said Shlossman began working on the scholarship last spring.
"I'm thrilled for her," Walter said. "She is so deserving."
Likins also praised Walter for her assistance and said although Shlossman "had the substance," Karna reinforced Shlossman's contributions to the community.
A UA student also won the Truman Scholarship in 2003. Shlossman said last year's recipient, Jon Gandomi, an interdisciplinary studies senior, helped her with the application process, which includes a rigorous interview.
Shlossman said, in preparing for the interview, she learned more about social issues and is able to take a more educated stand. Shlossman said she plans to use the scholarship to pay for an education policy graduate program, possibly at the University of California, Berkeley.
"The Bay Area is the capital of youth activism, so that's a possibility, but I'm still very open."