By: Heather Fields
ATLANTA, GA —Lucero Mendez, a Public Policy student with a concentration in Economic Development and Planning and a minor in Urban Studies, has the drive to make substantial impacts through public service.
Last semester, Lucero approached Marc Reyes, Assistant Director of the Honors College’s Office of National Scholarships and Fellowships, looking for scholarships to help her along her path. The Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service, otherwise known as the Voyager Scholarship, was the perfect opportunity for Lucero.
“Once I heard about the service Lucero did in high school and at GSU, I knew she was the perfect candidate,” said Reyes. “It was my first time working with a Voyager applicant and it couldn’t have gone better.”
The Obama Voyager Scholarship
The scholarship was created by Barack and Michelle Obama, along with Brian Chesky, the founder of Airbnb. It’s designed to remove financial barriers for students with a personal passion for public service and to “inspire, empower, and connect the next generation of leaders.”
After being encouraged to apply by her parents and Reyes, Lucero tackled the application process. The application required eight essays and a minute-long video. Lucero found out about the program around a month before applications were due, and she submitted hers the day before it was due.
The Voyager scholarship grants third-year students who demonstrate a strong passion for public service up to $50,000 to cover any undergraduate costs. The scholarship also includes a $10,000 stipend and free Airbnb housing for students to complete a summer work-travel experience, a $20,000 Airbnb stipend spread over 10 years and the chance to attend a fall summit with other scholarship recipients. The summit serves as a chance for students to network with like-minded individuals and grow their leadership skills.
Service
Lucero’s interest in public service has been brewing for years. She was in Student Government in her high school, worked part time in local businesses and participated in the Gwinnett Youth Commission.
Lucero wanted to bring micro transit, which she defined as “Uber from the government,” to Snellville, where her family resides.
“I was pretty vocal about things,” she said.
At a meeting with a consultant from Foursquare Intergrated Transportation Planning in 2023, Lucero advocated for a local retail center to receive micro transit services.
Ride Gwinnett’s microtransit service functions as an on-demand ride service. For $3, users can book a trip that starts and ends within designated boundaries in Snellville, Lawrenceville, and Norcross.
Not only did Lucero leave her mark in Gwinnett County, but she is making steady efforts on campus to improve sustainability, bring resources to students and connect the community.
Lucero currently works with the Office of Sustainability Initiatives, where she plans events that promote sustainability on campus. One of Lucero’s goals is to combat waste from the dorms, especially during move-out.
Last year, she submitted a grant for a pop-up shop called “PantherSWAP.” The event allowed students to bring clothing and miscellaneous items to swap for another student’s unwanted item. Lucero wants to have a location on GSU’s campus that “is like a permanent thrift store, but where everything is free.”
A Scholarship for the Future
As the first Voyager scholarship recipient at GSU and the only recipient from a Georgia public university, Lucero has more time and resources to work towards her goals.
“Because of the scholarship, I don’t have to stress about working as much” she said.
Soon, Lucero plans to use her award to travel to Strasbourg, France to study government and economics in the European Union.
After her career at GSU, Lucero plans to obtain a master's in urban and regional planning.
“After that, I want to work for the City of Atlanta as an Urban Planner, or for Marta in their Capital Projects section,” she stated.
The Honors College at Georgia State University is a destination for high-achieving students who embody curiosity, take pride in their work and dream about how they can make an impact through their studies and careers. Its mission is to serve students in a welcoming space by engaging students’ curiosity, empowering them to achieve their highest potential and inspiring them to find their place in the world. Its students form life-long friendships, participate in community service, perform research, excel academically, explore their interests and chart their career paths.