Jackson Free Press

Jackson State University student Keba Ambrose is always ready to take on a new challenge. After hearing about a summer institute on public policy at New Jersey's Princeton University, she worked tirelessly to fine-tune her personal statement for the application process.

A few days ago, Ambrose got the news that Princeton had accepted her to the summer institute.

"Usually when you think of Princeton, you think of a challenge," Ambrose said. "I chose them because I want to challenge myself."

The institute is part of the Princeton's Public Policy and International Affairs Fellowship Program, a national consortium of top public-policy and international-affairs graduate schools. The program begins June 9 and ends July 31.
 
"I thought it would be a good opportunity for me to see what a grad program is about and learn more about public policy," she says.

The 20-year-old New York native grew up on the Caribbean island of Antigua and moved to Titusville, Fla., a few years ago. She heard about JSU from a friend, and after applying, she received a full academic scholarship. She played soccer for the university during her first two years. Now in her third year at JSU, she is taking junior- and senior-level classes.

The political-science major has her sights set high. After graduating, she plans to move to Washington, D.C., and attend law school . She says she wants to work in government, thought she isn't sure what her exact role will be.