NYU’s Rebecca Brett, a senior in Global Liberal Studies, has been named a George J. Mitchell Scholar, which will provide her with a year of postgraduate study at a university in Ireland or Northern Ireland.
NYU’s Rebecca Brett, a senior in Global Liberal Studies, has been named a George J. Mitchell Scholar, which will provide her with a year of postgraduate study at a university in Ireland or Northern Ireland.
Brett, also majoring in Social and Cultural Analysis, was among 12 selected as Mitchell Scholars this year. She is the first NYU student to be chosen as a Mitchell Scholar.
Born in Eustis, Fla., Brett is the founder of Chess for Girls, a 20,000 member organization that empowers girls across New York City, and has assisted with teaching inmates chess at Rikers Island. As a Mitchell Scholar, Brett, who intends to pursue a law degree, will study gender, globalization, and rights at the National University of Ireland, Galway.
The Mitchell Scholarship, named to honor former U.S. Senator George Mitchell's contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process, seeks to introduce and connect generations of future American leaders to Ireland. It also aims to recognize and foster intellectual achievement, leadership, and a commitment to community and public service.
Mitchell served as chairman of the peace negotiations in Northern Ireland during the Clinton administration. Under his leadership the Good Friday Agreement was agreed to by the governments of Ireland and the United Kingdom and the political parties of Northern Ireland.