Barrett alumnus Nathaniel Ross named 2025 Luce Scholar
In 2022, he became ASU’s first American Rhodes Scholar in more than 20 years. Now, this Barrett graduate has been awarded a prestigious Luce Scholarship that will provide immersive professional experience in Asia.
ASU and Barrett, The Honors College alumnus Nathaniel Ross has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Luce Scholarship, which will provide him with immersive professional experience in Asia.
Nathaniel Ross, an exceptional graduate of Arizona State University and Barrett, The Honors College, has been awarded a 2025 Luce Scholarship, one of the most prestigious fellowships for young leaders. Funded by the Henry Luce Foundation, the scholarship provides immersive, yearlong professional experiences in Asia for early-career leaders who have had limited prior exposure to the region.
The Luce Scholarship is among the most selective fellowships in the country, with a typical acceptance rate between 3 and 6 percent. Ross is the first ASU student to ever receive this honor. Historically, the program was limited to students from a small group of select institutions, making his selection particularly meaningful.
Ross’s selection for the Luce Scholars Program marks another milestone in his academic and professional path. In 2022, he became ASU’s first American Rhodes Scholar in more than two decades. As a Rhodes Scholar, he pursued a Master of Philosophy in comparative social policy at the University of Oxford and is now earning a Juris Doctor at Yale Law School, with an expected graduation in May 2028.
During his time at ASU, Ross distinguished himself through leadership, research and service that laid the foundation for his future achievements. He founded EosFighter Connection, a national support network for youth with eosinophilic disorders, and contributed as a science writer for ASU’s Embryo Project Encyclopedia and Ask a Biologist. He also served as vice chief justice of the Supreme Court for ASU’s Undergraduate Student Government and was a Critical Language Scholar through the U.S. Department of State, studying in Georgia and Kyrgyzstan.
The Luce Scholars Program will allow Ross to expand his global impact by gaining professional experience in Asia. The program is designed to equip emerging leaders with cross-cultural insights and global problem-solving skills, an opportunity that aligns with Ross’s commitment to social justice on an international scale.
The next application cycle for the Luce Scholars Program is now open. Graduating seniors and recent ASU alumni who are interested in applying are encouraged to contact the Office of National Scholarships Advisement (ONSA) for guidance and support throughout the application process. To learn more or schedule an advising appointment, email onsa@asu.edu.