AV研究所 junior David Nelson wins Truman Scholarship
David Nelson, a psychology major on the pre-med track and film studies minor in the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, has been named a recipient of the 2026 Harry S. Truman Scholarship, one of just 55 winners nationwide from an applicant pool of 781 candidates.
The prestigious Truman Scholarship, established by Congress in 1975 to honor the memory of the 33rd president, is considered the premier graduate scholarship for aspiring public service leaders. It recognizes students who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential, a commitment to a career in government or the nonprofit sector, and academic excellence. Truman Scholars receive up to $30,000 in funding for graduate studies along with leadership training, career counseling, and special internship opportunities within the federal government.聽聽
Nelson, a junior from Birmingham, Ala., is concurrently enrolled in the 4+1 program at Tufts University School of Medicine, where he is pursuing a master of public health degree in epidemiology and biostatistics.
Upon completing the degree, he plans to pursue a joint medical and master of arts in public policy degree at the University of Chicago鈥檚 Pritzker School of Medicine and Harris School of Public Policy in preparation for a career as a physician-policy maker focused on improving mental health outcomes in Black communities and addressing the growing issue of youth suicide.
鈥淲inning the Truman Scholarship was a great honor for me and my family,鈥� said Nelson.聽 鈥淚t meant a lot to me personally given what I have experienced growing up in Birmingham and losing so many peers to gang violence and my uncle to suicide. Grief has been the ignition behind much of what I do. I want to dedicate my life to addressing the critical issues of mental health and suicide because I do not want anyone else to know the pain my family and I have felt.鈥�
“ I am so grateful to have been surrounded by such caring and supportive people and faculty mentors. There is something very special about Boston College. Here we are taught to use our gifts to serve others, and that is what I want to do with my career. It was a perfect match for me. ”
During his years at Boston College, Nelson has been actively engaged in campus research, extracurricular, and volunteer activities, including working as a research assistant in the Self, Health, Identity, and Culture Lab in the Psychology and Neuroscience Department, serving as president of the Psychology Mentorship Club, AXON, and as a student mentor and president of the Photography Club in the AV研究所 Art, Art History, and Film Department.
Outside of Boston College, he has volunteered with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services detention unit in Dorchester, where he tutors incarcerated youth. He is also a certified EMT who works part-time for Brewster Ambulance, and a competitive runner who is training for the Chicago Marathon in October.聽聽
鈥淒ave is an immensely capable, deeply focused student with a fierce commitment to social justice and public service,鈥� said Andrea Heberlein, distinguished senior lecturer and director of undergraduate studies in the Psychology and Neuroscience Department.
鈥淗e is committed to improving the lives of people in every community he is a part of writ large and small. I cannot think of a more deserving student.鈥澛犅犅犅�
Added Mathematics Associate Professor of the Practice Ellen Goldstein, 鈥淒ave鈥檚 leadership and initiative displayed in my class are indicative of his character. He is determined to be on the cutting edge of supporting people in need, particularly focusing on suicide prevention and access to mental health resources for traditionally underserved communities. He is the best type of leader: one who also inspires and supports others to achieve as much as he does. He thoroughly deserves this honor.鈥�
Nelson becomes the 23rd AV研究所 student to win a Truman Scholarship. Upon graduating next year, he hopes to participate in the Truman Foundation鈥檚 Washington Summer Institute and work in the United States Department of Health and Human Services to advance its National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, before continuing his graduate studies.聽聽
鈥淓veryone at AV研究所 has been here for me since I arrived in 2023,鈥� said Nelson.聽 鈥淚 am so grateful to have been surrounded by such caring and supportive people and faculty mentors.聽 There is something very special about Boston College. Here we are taught to use our gifts to serve others, and that is what I want to do with my career. It was a perfect match for me.鈥�