UA Junior Camila Lopez Earns Obama Foundation Voyager Scholarship

TUSCALOOSA, AL — University of Alabama junior Camila Lopez, a Birmingham native with a notable record of public service, has been awarded the prestigious Obama Foundation Voyager Scholarship.

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Lopez is one of only 100 students nationwide selected this year for the scholarship, also known as the Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service.

She is the second UA student to receive the honor since the program launched in 2022.

The Obama Foundation said recipients are chosen for their commitment to serving others, their work uplifting communities and their broad vision for public service leadership.

“Public service is a vital attribute to possess not only for an individual who wishes to work in the sphere, but for the entire community it affects,” Lopez said. “The sense of connectedness is what truly creates a thriving community, and by being someone who intentionally strives to help others, you bring people together to make that dream possible.”

Lopez is double majoring in legal history and political science on a pre-law track and is both a Shelby Scholar and Blackburn Scholar.

Through the Shelby Institute, she meets with influential leaders from Alabama and across the country, and with the Blackburn Institute she travels statewide to understand challenges facing local communities.

Lopez also serves as president of UA’s Hispanic-Latino Association, which has more than 600 members and leads efforts to expand cultural programming and professional development.

Her public service experience includes interning in U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell’s office in Washington, D.C., through the UA System’s Capitol Scholars Program.

She is currently interning with the Tuscaloosa County Public Defender's Office.

Created by former President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama and Airbnb co-founder Brian Chesky, the Voyager Scholarship aims to support and mentor students pursuing careers in public service. Recipients receive:

• $25,000 in tuition support for each of their final two years of college
• $10,000 and housing for a public service summer internship
• $20,000 in travel funding to use over 10 years following graduation
• Access to mentoring, networking and an annual summit

“By being awarded this scholarship, I no longer have to pick between my financial security and getting the most out of my higher education,” Lopez said. “This award amplifies my voice and motivation of serving my Hispanic community and allows me to develop my skills these next two years to provide adequate resources in Alabama.”

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