The University of Nevada, Reno has nominated two outstanding Honors College students, Miriam Dayton and Gabriella Detrick, for the 2026 Truman Scholarship, the nation’s premier graduate scholarship for aspiring public service leaders.

Selected as the University’s institutional nominees through a competitive campus process, both students exemplify the Truman Foundation’s emphasis on academic excellence, sustained leadership and a demonstrated commitment to public service.

The University extends special thanks to the Office of Undergraduate Fellowships (OUF) for its mentorship and guidance throughout the rigorous nomination process.

About the Truman Scholarship

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation was established by Congress in 1975 to serve as a living memorial to President Truman and his enduring legacy. The Truman Scholarship is part of the foundation’s broader effort to promote educated citizenship and political responsibility among U.S. college students.

The scholarship provides up to $30,000 for graduate study leading to a career in public service. In addition to financial support, Truman Scholars receive significant professional development opportunities, leadership training, access to federal internships and a nationwide network of public servants.

Finalists for the 2026 competition will be notified in February and invited to interview in early March. Truman Scholars will be announced in April.

Miriam Dayton

Miriam Dayton is an honors student and Presidential Scholar who is double majoring in economics and Spanish. A National Merit Scholar from Henderson, Nevada, she transferred to Nevada from Brigham Young University. At Nevada, she was awarded the Presidential Scholarship in recognition of her academic excellence and leadership potential.

Dayton’s record of service began long before college and reflects a deep and sustained commitment to families experiencing crisis. She has volunteered extensively with Vegas Stronger and Reno Stronger Homeless Resource Centers and Additional Recovery Programs, supporting individuals facing homelessness and addiction. Her research with BYU’s Family Compassion and Care Lab strengthened her understanding of family systems under strain, particularly when mothers are incarcerated. She also worked as an elementary school substitute teacher, dedicating particular attention to students needing additional support in math and reading.

After transferring to Nevada, Dayton immediately sought ways to serve her new campus community. Within weeks, she successfully ran for and was elected to an open Senate seat in the Associated Students of the University of Nevada, a rare accomplishment for a transfer student. Known for her thoughtful leadership and steady presence, Dayton has demonstrated both initiative and integrity in student government, including engaging senior university leadership on issues affecting the undergraduate experience.

“Applying for the Truman forced me to thoughtfully and practically consider what my future professional and academic goals will look like,” Dayton said. “The essays required hours and hours of careful self-reflection that ultimately helped me refine my dreams and sense of self.”

“Whether you think you have a good shot or not, apply. It’s always worth it to dream.”

She encourages other students to pursue competitive fellowships regardless of the outcome. “It’s not about winning,” she said. “The process of applying for a competitive fellowship will prepare you for graduate school and refine your focus for your final years of undergraduate studies. Researching and planning a policy proposal will expose you to problems in the community and enrich your experience with public policy. Whether you think you have a good shot or not, apply. It’s always worth it to dream.”

If selected as a Truman Scholar, Dayton hopes to attend Stanford Law School and continue her work advancing public policy that strengthens families.

“If I win the Truman scholarship, I will be able to go to my dream graduate school: Stanford,” she said. “The most academically elite graduate schools are reserved for the financially well-off or for those who intend to pursue extremely lucrative fields; I am neither. If I win the Truman scholarship, I will have the chance to break into a sphere of networking and opportunity I would never have access to otherwise, which I can leverage to give back to the community that made me who I am. It would be a dream to win.”

Gabriella Detrick

Gabriella Detrick, whose hometown is Las Vegas, Nevada, is an honors student with a double major in political science and international affairs. She currently serves as Chief of Staff for the Associated Students of the University of Nevada (ASUN), where she plays a central role in supporting senators and their interns as they develop policy on behalf of the University’s undergraduate population.

Detrick’s leadership is defined by her ability to see systems clearly and improve them thoughtfully. She led a comprehensive reform of the student government internship program, partnering with campus entities including the Honors College, the First-Generation Student Center and the McNair Scholars Program to broaden access and strengthen mentorship. By restructuring expectations and increasing institutional support, she helped raise internship retention from approximately 50% to more than 90%, impacting more than 100 student interns.

Her commitment to structural solutions extends beyond campus. As a legislative intern for the Nevada State Assembly, Detrick spoke in support of AB 183, the Right to Contraception Act, articulating how policy barriers affect women across socioeconomic backgrounds, including those with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Her long-term goal is to work at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security, focusing on export controls that intersect trade, human rights and national security. She is particularly interested in strengthening preventive export regulations to reduce the proliferation of small arms and dual-use weapons that contribute to instability abroad.

“Applying for Truman challenged me to articulate my passion for public service and detail the experiences that have prepared me for a career in public policy,” Detrick said “I hadn’t anticipated the deep reflection that the application process required, asking me both how and why I want to change the world. The process was difficult yet remarkably empowering. Through it, I’ve gained a clear understanding of my values and a vision for both my own future and the communities I hope to serve. Regardless of the outcome, I have found the journey to be greatly fulfilling and am incredibly grateful for the individuals who have helped me throughout this process.”

She offers encouragement to future applicants.

“There are more people on your team than you know. Do not underestimate the support that is available when you ask for help,” she said. “My application would not have been possible without the incredible staff of OUF, the Honors College, the Department of Political Science, the University Writing and Speaking Center, my friends and my family. While my Truman application is my own, I was never alone throughout the process. So, find mentors, ask questions often, and listen to the people who tell you that your story is one worth telling.”

“Find mentors, ask questions often, and listen to the people who tell you that your story is one worth telling.”

For Detrick, the scholarship would provide both practical and professional support.

“Winning Truman would remove a significant financial barrier in my aspirations of attending graduate school. Beyond financial support, it would allow me to nurture my innate sense of public service. I believe that I can pursue a career in public service, and I believe that I can be a change agent. Winning Truman would connect me to a network of public servants who share those beliefs, providing leadership development and guidance as I pursue graduate education and a career in federal service.”

The University of Nevada, Reno is proud to nominate Miriam Dayton and Gabriella Detrick for the 2026 Truman Scholarship. As the competition moves forward, the University community wishes both students the very best as they await finalist notifications through