As a junior—and as a self-described “proud product of Maryland public schools”—Dhruvak Mirani is established as a campus and community leader dedicated to making positive change for students and for College Park citizens. Notably, he serves as a student regent for the University System of Maryland Board of Regents. On Friday, April 18, Mirani was awarded a Truman Scholarship.

Renowned as one of the nation’s most distinguished awards for underclassmen, the Truman Scholarship is presented to those who demonstrate exceptional leadership potential, a commitment to a career in government or in the nonprofit sector, and academic excellence. The honor memorializes President Harry S. Truman and provides up to $30,000  in funding for graduate studies, leadership training, career counseling, and special internship and fellowship opportunities within the federal government. 

Mirani is pursuing dual degrees in computer science and in government and politics, with a concentration in international relations. He is also a member of the Advanced Cybersecurity Experience for Students (ACES) in the Honors College.

“I have long hoped to spend my life in service to others. As a Truman Scholar, I’m grateful to be part of a civic-minded community that will help me become a more effective public servant,” Mirani said.

UMD President Darryll J. Pines was on hand to break the good news to Mirani and to congratulate him during a government and politics class taught by Shannon Carcelli and Hyeri Park on Tuesday, April 15.

As luck would have it, the guest speaker in the class was alumnus Lt. Gen. James R. Clapper, former Director of National Intelligence. Pines underscored the competitive nature of the Truman Scholarship, noting that Mirani had been selected from a pool of hundreds of outstanding applicants, and that his selection was a credit to the university.

Mirani is the 11th Truman Scholar to hail from UMD.

“The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences community is extraordinarily proud of Dhruvak. Part of the mission of the Truman Scholarship is to invest in talented young people. This investment in Dhruvak is well-deserved. He has already proven himself to be a leader on campus, in College Park, and beyond,” said BSOS Dean Susan Rivera. “He has tirelessly worked to advocate for student rights and well being, and to improve the student experience on our campus. His efforts have already made a lasting impact. This scholarship opportunity will not not only change his life; Dhruvak, in turn will continue working to improve societies, and the world.”

Among his numerous campus activities, Mirani is a research assistant in the Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security, and is a member of the Kappa Omega Alpha Public Policy Fraternity. He also made his voice heard on a number of pressing topics as an opinion columnist for The Diamondback.

“Dhruvak Mirani embodies the curiosity, intelligence and civic-mindedness that together represent the University of Maryland at its very best,” said Amitabh Varshney, dean of the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences. “He exemplifies the determination and vision that characterize the most deserving winners of the Truman Scholarship, and we are very proud of his achievement.”

Mirani was a student liaison to the College Park City Council from June 2023 to May 2024. During this tenure, he led student voter registration efforts, helped pass a $150,000 housing assistance program for UMD students, and co-founded the College Park Tenants Union. Mirani also served as a legislative and press intern in the U.S. House of Representatives in the fall of 2022.

In addition to being a newly minted Truman Scholar, Mirani is a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society, and he was selected as a part of UMD’s Global Fellows program from August 2023 to May 2024.

In the past, he has written guest op-eds for publications including The Baltimore Sun and The Hill on issues in K-12 and higher education.

In 2022, Mirani was the youngest candidate for office in Maryland at the age of 17. He ran for a local Democratic Party position in Howard County, his hometown, advocating for the party to pay attention to school board races and push back against book bans. Mirani helped elect three candidates to the Howard County Board of Education in 2024.

In his free time, Mirani enjoys playing basketball in the Calvert Hills neighborhood of College Park, attending concerts, and exploring Washington, D.C.

While Mirani has another year at UMD, he said he is looking forward to the future.

“After completing my studies, I plan to work in national security to protect the United States and keep Americans safe and free,” Mirani said.

Members of the UMD community shared their congratulations with Mirani, and their thoughts on why he is deserving of the Truman Scholarship:

“Dhruvak aspires to make U.S. national security policy and our international agreements more robust. He brings technical skills from his computer science training, yes, but he also possesses crucial knowledge of how to work effectively with people and organizations at all levels to serve his policy goals. This, more than anything, is Dhruvak’s superpower.”
—Margaret Pearson, Dr. Horace V. and Wilma E. Harrison Distinguished Professor in the Department of Government and Politics, UMD's faculty advisor for the Truman program

“Dhruvak Mirani exemplifies the interdisciplinary spirit of ACES, excelling in both technical and non-technical coursework. In 2023, he received the Gordon Prize in Managing Cybersecurity Resources. His commitment to public service is reflected in his appointment to the USM Board of Regents.”
—Professor Michel Cukier, Director of ACES

“It was such an honor to see Dhruvak Mirani receive this wonderful news about winning the Truman Scholarship from President Pines in a surprise visit to class. Dhruvak's public service record is so impressive. We are thrilled that the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation is highlighting his contributions and investing in him as a future leader in this important way.”
—BSOS Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education Katherine Russell

This article originally appeared on the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSOS) website.