Two talented and accomplished undergraduate students and one recent graduate have been endorsed by the University for nationally competitive scholarships.
Felicia Carrara of Charlotte, North Carolina, was endorsed for both the British Marshall Scholarship and the Rhodes Scholarship.
Kelsey Clodfelter of Hershey, Pennsylvania, and Zachary Taylor of Spencer were endorsed for the Rhodes Scholarship.
Carrara graduated in August with a degree in international studies and a minor in Russian studies.
Understanding the value of service, she consistently finds ways of using her skills to improve communities and help people grow.
During her time at WVU, Carrara served as president of the Russian and East European Club which worked to foster cultural awareness and exchange through community education and outreach. She taught Spanish to adults through the Osher Lifelong Learning Program and was a member of the University’s Model United Nations team.
Perhaps most notable, Carrara was awarded a Critical Language Scholarship in 2024 and a Fulbright Scholarship this year, both of which provided immersive international service opportunities.
With her sights set on a career in international law and security, both the Marshall and Rhodes scholarships provide ample opportunities for her to further expand her worldview.
If selected as a Marshall Scholar, Carrara will pursue a master’s in global security and a master’s in security and data science. For the Rhodes Scholarship, she will pursue a master’s in global governance and diplomacy plus a master’s in public policy.
“I hope to gain a more balanced perspective of international priorities, engage with like-minded scholars and, of course, develop my data analysis and diplomacy skills for a career after graduate school,” she said. “Getting to hear various perspectives while abroad in the past greatly expanded my own problem-solving and interpersonal skills, so I’m looking to gain even more knowledge from other scholars, as well as sharing my methods, so we can all best serve our communities.”
Clodfelter is a senior majoring in technical art history with a minor in Spanish. She is a Presidential Student Ambassador, president of the Art History Club, member of the education staff at the Art Museum of WVU, a resident assistant in Oakland Hall and part of the Certified Student Leader program.
She also served as the lead designer and project manager for the 458 Mural Project, a volunteer-based mural project on High Street.
As a student, she’s had the opportunity to conduct a variety of undergraduate research projects, like applying artificial intelligence and machine learning to the study of ancient Maya art and glyph blocks and developing a visual database of ceramic typology from Pátzcuaro Basin archaeological sites in Michoacan, Mexico, through the WVU Research Apprenticeship Program.
During the summer of 2024, she spent six weeks in Italy as part of the San Gemini Preservation Studies Program, which involved conservation of paper and archival materials.
“I have an interdisciplinary background that bridges studio art, Spanish language, chemistry and art history,” Clodfelter said. “This unique blend allows me to approach art conservation and cultural heritage studies from both creative and scientific perspectives.”
These experiences helped her develop academic, artistic, and service capabilities that will benefit her as she works toward a career in conservation and restoration of artworks with an emphasis in paper, art on paper and historical documents.
If selected for the Rhodes Scholarship, she plans to pursue a Master of Science in Visual, Material and Museum Anthropology and a Master of Studies in History of Art and Visual Culture at the University of Oxford.
“The chance to study at Oxford and work with others committed to meaningful change and discourse aligns with my passion for cultural heritage and arts conservation,” Clodfelter said. “I hope to deepen my expertise in cultural and artistic preservation, build connections with global changemakers, and grow as a scholar and leader prepared to address international challenges in the arts, humanities and beyond.”
Taylor’s two greatest passions in life are learning and helping others. The senior double majoring in electrical engineering and computer engineering has used his time at WVU to grow as a leader and community advocate.
He’s a member of the University’s chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Eta Kappa Nu, Engineers Without Borders and serves as a mentor for freshmen engineering students as part of the Academy of Engineering Success.
“Combined with rigorous academic experiences, these opportunities have prepared me to approach challenges with technical skill, empathy and a deep sense of responsibility to others,” Taylor said.
In addition to those endeavors, he’s managed prototyping projects, mentored peers and supported entrepreneurs as a senior prototype engineer in the Morris L. Hayhurst LaunchLab, and volunteered over 200 hours of service in STEM outreach and other community initiatives.
If awarded the Rhodes Scholarship, Taylor plans to pursue a Master of Science by Research in Engineering Science at Oxford with the goal of deepening his understanding of how engineering and problem-solving can address real-world challenges.
“Above all, I feel a need to learn from the perspectives, cultures and approaches of people from around the world,” he said. “Having spent my entire life in West Virginia and growing up in a very rural portion of the region, I know there is so much about the world I have yet to discover.”
Each candidate received support from the ASPIRE Office which assists students applying for nationally competitive scholarships and fellowships.