The Craig Newmark Veterans Scholarship Fund

2025-2026 Newmark Scholar

Meghan Hall’s (MPP’26) introduction to public service came from observing the women in her family as they adapted to various military deployment cycles. With loved ones away and limited support, her aunts and grandmothers managed every detail of domestic life. Lacking alternative examples to provide a different perspective, Hall’s perception of the “hallmark” military partner was precise: Spousal sacrifice was the defining expectation of married military life. Inspired by the McCourt School’s support for active duty military, veterans and military-connected students, she hopes to challenge perceptions surrounding what it means to be military-connected and strengthen her skills to become a more effective communicator in the public affairs space. She holds a B.A. in international affairs and English from the University of San Diego.

2025-2026 Newmark Scholar

Haley Morton (MPP’26) describes herself as an “impatient changemaker.” A career Armor Officer in the U.S. Army with eight years of experience leading soldiers, Morton saw firsthand how everything from poor housing to administrative burdens affected her soldiers’ ability to perform tasks. Whether confronting flawed defense contracts or equipment failures that have cost lives, she is committed to improving the conditions that negatively impact the force. At the McCourt School, Morton is building her skillset to excel as a military strategist and leader. Morton holds a B.S. in behavioral science from the United States Air Force Academy and will intern with the under secretary of defense for policy before returning to the United States Military Academy at West Point to instruct international affairs.

2025-2026 Newmark Scholar

Steve Nava (MPM’26) draws his commitment to public service from a family legacy rooted in democracy. He was inspired by his grandmother, who braved voter intimidation to cast her ballot during the 1986 People Power movement in the Philippines before his parents immigrated to the United States. Now, eight years into his career as an Army infantry and public affairs officer, he seeks to build on his leadership experience and move toward advising senior military and elected officials at the strategic level. He holds a B.S. in economics from the United States Military Academy at West Point and continues to serve on active duty at Fort Meade, Maryland, while pursuing his degree.

2025-2026 Newmark Scholar

Cade Roy (MPP’26) comes to the McCourt School with a generational tradition of military service. Inspired by his family’s commitment to military service, he hopes to serve the public good in his own way, through a career in public service. Roy is particularly interested in making meaningful contributions to the most pressing policy debates, as well as researching areas such as school choice, regulatory impacts and economic sanctions. Roy holds a B.A. in political science from UL Lafayette. While an undergraduate student, he served as student body president and chair of Louisiana’s Council of Student Body Presidents. 

2024-2025 Newmark Scholar

Ryan Johnson (MPP/MBA’27) hopes to apply the same community-oriented environment he found in the military as he transitions from an operational focus in the Army to a data-driven study of public policy. In the Army, Johnson served as an advising team leader in Ghana and Benin, where he worked at the cutting edge of U.S. security policy in West Africa and led the first conventional advising team to Benin. He has a B.S. in economics from Northeastern University and recently interned with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security.

2024-2025 Newmark Scholar

Gabriel McKern (MPP/MSFS’27) seeks to pair his experience as an officer and later platoon leader in Afghanistan with courses on how successful counter-terrorism, irregular warfare and resistance movements are fought. His broader interest is exploring how military campaigns can merge more effectively with political goals. McKern has a B.S. in molecular biology from Eastern Oregon University and will pursue dual master’s degrees in public policy and foreign service at Georgetown.

2024-2025 Newmark Scholar

Maryellen Myers’ (MPP’26) formative years as the daughter of a retired Army officer shaped her understanding of resilience, adaptability and the importance of diverse perspectives. Time spent living in The Netherlands fueled her passion for public service and a desire to create effective policy solutions. With a background in marketing and teaching, Myers aims to enhance her qualitative research and data-driven analysis skills. She is excited to contribute to and learn from the dynamic McCourt community, building on her unique experiences to make a meaningful impact. She has a B.A. in journalism from Auburn University.

2024-2025 Newmark Scholar

Matt Sandusky (MPP’26) is driven by a vision of the United States that is energy independent and a global leader in technology and diplomacy. Inspired by his grandfather, a Vietnam War veteran, and his cousin, a current sailor in the Navy, Sandusky’s passion for public policy is also rooted in the care and well-being of service members and an interest in technological innovation. He deeply respects military service, both in his own family and others, and seeks to honor this sacrifice through his McCourt education. Sandusky holds a B.A. in creative writing and political science from the University of Arkansas. 

2024-2025 Newmark Scholar

Wyae’ Stewart (MPP’26) draws inspiration from her grandfather’s leadership as president of his chapter of the NAACP and his military service in the Air Force and Navy. His dedication to community advocacy and housing reform deeply shaped her commitment to public service. As a graduate student at McCourt, Stewart hopes to join the Policy Innovation Lab and work on housing policy in DC Wards 7 and 8. Drawing on her own experiences, she aims to craft policies that drive change and improve conditions for underserved and underrepresented communities, continuing her grandfather’s legacy. Stewart graduated from Oberlin College with a B.A. in politics and law & society.