Saturday, April 19, 2025
Produced by the Office of Marketing and Communications
Produced by the Office of Marketing and Communications © 2022
Government and Politics, Computer Science Student is 11th Terp Honored for Exceptional Leadership Potential
By Laura Ours
UMD President Darryll J. Pines (right) surprises junior Dhruvak Mirani with the news that he had been awarded a prestigious Truman Scholarship during a government and politics class. Among those present was a class visitor that day, retired Lt. Gen. James R. Clapper ’63 (center), a former U.S. director of national intelligence.
Photos by Stephanie S. Cordle
A University of Maryland junior who has built an impressive record of service at the city, county and state levels was announced Friday as the recipient of a Truman Scholarship, the nation’s most selective award for underclassmen with exceptional leadership potential, a commitment to a career in government or in 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 in funding for graduate studies, leadership training, career counseling, and special internship and fellowship opportunities within the federal government. This year, 54 Truman Scholars were selected from 743 candidates nominated by 288 colleges and universities nationwide.
“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 also was elected as the 2025-26 president of UMD’s Student Government Association on Friday.
UMD President Darryll J. Pines surprised him with the good news on Tuesday during a government and politics class (which also happened to feature a visit from retired Lt. Gen. James R. Clapper ’63, a former U.S. director of national intelligence.)
College of Behavioral and Social Sciences Dean Susan Rivera stressed the college’s pride in Mirani, saying the Truman Scholarship Foundation had chosen well.
“This investment in Dhruvak is well-deserved. He has already proven himself to be a leader on campus, in College Park, and beyond,” she said. “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.”
Beyond campus, Mirani serves as a student regent for the University System Board of Regents, and previously was a student liaison to the College Park City Council. 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 2022, a 17-year-old Mirani was the youngest candidate in Maryland when he ran for a seat on the Howard County Democratic Central Committee, and he helped elect three candidates to the Howard County Board of Education in 2024.
“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 campus activities, Mirani is also a member of the Advanced Cybersecurity Experience for Students (ACES) in the Honors College, serves as a research assistant in the Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security and is a member of the Kappa Omega Alpha Public Policy Fraternity. And he has made his voice heard as an opinion columnist for The Diamondback, as well as penning guest op-eds for publications including The Baltimore Sun and The Hill on issues in K-12 and higher education.
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. After his final year at Maryland in 2025-26, he’s looking forward to a future of continued service.
“After completing my studies, I plan to work in national security to protect the United States and keep Americans safe and free,” Mirani said.
Campus & Community
Computer Science Government and Politics Student Experience
College of Behavioral and Social Sciences College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences
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