Junior Dhruvak Mirani Awarded Prestigious Truman Scholarship

A University of Maryland junior who has built an impressive record of service at the city, county and state levels has been awarded a Truman Scholarship, the nation’s most selective award for underclassmen with exceptional leadership potential, a commitment to a career in government or the nonprofit sector, and demonstrated academic excellence.

Dhruvak Mirani, a dual-degree student in computer science and government and politics, with a concentration in international relations, is the 11th UMD student to earn the honor that memorializes President Harry S. Truman. It provides up to $30,000 for graduate studies, leadership training, career counseling, and special internship and fellowship opportunities within the federal government.

“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,” said Mirani, who is also a member of the Advanced Cybersecurity Experience for Students (ACES) in the Honors College. 

UMD President Darryll J. Pines surprised Mirani with the good news and congratulated him during a government and politics class earlier in the week. The guest speaker in the class was alum and former Director of National Intelligence, Lt. Gen. James R. Clapper. 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.

“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.”

Among his numerous activities, Mirani serves as a student regent for the University System Board of Regents, a research assistant in the Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security, and 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. 

“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 Susan Rivera, dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. “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 only change his life; Dhruvak, in turn, will continue working to improve societies and the world.”

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 cofounded the College Park Tenants Union. Mirani also served as a legislative and press intern in the U.S. House of Representatives in fall 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 to participate in UMD’s Global Fellows program from August 2023 to May 2024. He also wrote 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 oppose 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. 

Written by Laura Ours