Mirabella Troncoso, a junior political science and public policy double major, was named a 2026 Truman Scholar for the state of Delaware, one of 55 scholars nationwide.

Truman Scholar

Article by Hilary Douwes Photos by Evan Krape and Maria Errico and courtesy of Mirabella Troncoso April 24, 2026

Political science, public policy double major receives prestigious scholarship for aspiring public service leaders

Mirabella Troncoso, a junior political science and public policy double major at the University of Delaware, has been named a 2026 Truman Scholar, one of the nation’s most competitive awards for students pursuing careers in public service.

President Laura Carlson surprised Troncoso with the good news during a class on writing a Fulbright Scholarship application.

“Congratulations! We’re so proud of you,” Carlson said.

“I didn’t even know this existed a year ago, so actually being able to win this is a really big deal,” a breathless Troncoso said.

UD President Laura Carlson surprised Troncoso with the good news of her award during a class taught by Laura De Furio, director of the Office of National Fellowships.

The Truman Scholarship recognizes students with exceptional leadership potential and a demonstrated commitment to public service. The award supports graduate study in fields related to government, nonprofit leadership and public policy.

“Being a Truman Scholar represents both an honor and a responsibility. It affirms my commitment to public service and gives me the resources and community to pursue the work at a higher level,” Troncoso said.

Troncoso, who is from Wilmington, Delaware, is one of 55 scholars chosen from a nationwide pool of 781 candidates. She is UD’s 23rd scholar and joins a community that includes government officials, including Delaware Sen. Chris Coons and Delaware state Senate majority leader Bryan Townsend, two national security advisers and a Supreme Court justice.

“Mirabella’s success demonstrates that the University of Delaware is developing students who have the promise to contribute on the national level to intractable problems, like voting access and engagement, that affect all Americans,” said Laura De Furio, director of UD’s Office of National Fellowships (ONF).

Through the scholarship, Troncoso plans to pursue a joint J.D./M.P.A degree focused on election administration and constitutional law. Her goal is to develop policies that expand access to civic participation, particularly among young people, beginning at the state level.

“I hope to strengthen one of the most fundamental forms of civic participation by ensuring people can meaningfully engage in the democratic process,” she said.

In 2016, an 11-year-old Troncoso accompanied her mother to the polls. The two share a passion for public service, and fair and accessible access to the electoral process.

Lessons in community, leadership

Troncoso said she “grew up around politics.” Her mother took her to vote every time she went, exposing her to the importance of being involved in the democratic process.

Her path to public service took off in sixth grade when she was living in rural Indiana. She won an essay contest through an organization called Girls Inc., and got to fly to Washington D.C. to shadow former Rep. Vicky Hartzler of Missouri.

“She was on the Armed Services Committee and I got to sit in on one of their hearings,” Troncoso said. “I think at that point I knew I definitely wanted to go into politics.”

At UD, Troncoso has combined academic study with hands-on experiences in law, government and political campaigns, shaping her approach to leadership and public service. She currently serves as a student senator on the University’s faculty senate, bringing undergraduate perspectives to faculty decisions. She holds leadership positions with Mock Trial and the HenLaw Society, and is involved with Kappa Alpha Pi, the pre-law and government fraternity.

An internship with the Delaware Bar Association her freshman year led to an opportunity teaching middle and high school students about active citizenship through the Delaware Law Related Education Center (DELREC). The experience prompted an idea to create a state-level proposal allowing 16 and 17-year olds to vote in school board elections, involving them in the electoral process. The concept became the basis of the policy proposal in her Truman Scholarship application.

At the same time, Troncoso volunteered for then-New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer’s campaign for governor. She quickly moved from volunteer to campaign coordinator, doing everything from organizing volunteers to canvassing neighborhoods to scheduling his appearances.

Troncoso (center) was the campaign coordinator for Matt Meyer during his 2024 campaign for governor. She organized volunteers, scheduled his appearances and eventually worked as part of his transition committee.

“This is why I value local politics so much; it gives you an opportunity to build so many skills,” she said.

Last summer she interned with the Wilmington City Council and worked in Governor Meyer’s office. She also volunteered for a food bank in Wilmington. The experience brought to life the issues and struggles she heard from callers to the governor’s office.

“To create change you can't separate yourself from the people you're supposed to serve,” she said. “So that was why working the food pantry, and constituent services in general, has always been something I enjoy.”

After realizing she had worked with multiple Truman Scholars, she decided to apply for the scholarship. Her energy, experience and tireless dedication to the public made her a strong candidate for the award.

De Furio and ONF associate director Kristin Bennighoff guided Troncoso through the rigorous, months-long application process, working with her to highlight exactly how she plans to bring her ideas to life and why the ideas matter. Her success reinforces their belief that students benefit from the process of applying for scholarships because they learn how to clearly and powerfully communicate about their place in the world and their vision for a better future.

“Mirabella’s award was further confirmation that thoughtful storytelling matters and is a transformative skill,” De Furio said.

At UD, Troncoso is involved with multiple law and politics related organizations. Last fall she led a breakout session discussion about self-censorship during UD’s annual Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Ithaca Initiative National Student Dialogue event, which brought more than 130 students, faculty and staff from colleges across the country to campus.

A lesson in perseverance

Whatever future challenges she encounters, Troncoso knows the determination and hard work that helped her through the application process will help her succeed in other areas. It’s a lesson her single mother taught her from a young age.

“She taught me perseverance isn’t a choice — it’s a way of life,” she said. “I really did this for her. I think she deserves it more than I do.”

At the end of May Troncoso heads to the Truman Scholar Leadership Week in Liberty, Missouri. After that she will work for McLarty Associates, an international trade consulting firm, in Washington, D.C. She’s grateful for the support she’s received during her journey.

“From my professors at the University of Delaware to the colleagues I’ve worked with in government and on campaigns, each has helped shape my path,” she said. “I’m especially thankful to my mom, whose resilience and sacrifices made everything I’ve achieved possible.”

Celebrating Truman Scholar success. From left to right: Laura De Furio, ONF director; President Carlson; Troncoso; Kristin Bennighoff, ONF associate director; and Michael Chajes, interim vice provost for undergraduate education and dean of the Honors College.

About the Office of National Fellowships

UD's Office of National Fellowships supports students and alumni as they apply for a wide range of nationally competitive fellowships, including the Truman Scholarship. ONF works with students through individualized advising, application essay writing workshops and interview preparation. Students interested in applying to the Truman Scholarship or other awards should contact ONF at national-fellowships@udel.edu.