Emily Neer of New Philadelphia, Ohio, a junior double majoring in psychology in the College of Science and human development in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences is studying this month at the Fulbright Summer Institute in London, England.

The theme for the three-week summer program is Theatrical London: Contemporary Performance in the City. Neer will be participating in Fulbright master's classes at King’s College London, and taking part in excursions around the city.

The Fulbright Institute is one of the most prestigious and selective summer scholarship programs in the world. Neer was chosen for her academic excellence, as well as her participation in a range of extracurricular and community activities, demonstrated ambassadorial skills, and plan to give back to her community upon returning.

“The opportunity to study and immerse myself in London, which is such a culturally rich and historic city, will be beyond valuable for me,” said Neer, “I look forward to gaining a new perspective, and I am ready to be awed, enriched, and curious as I explore new places and meet new people.”

Neer, who is also minoring in leadership and social change in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, demonstrates her leadership skills with her active participation in SERVE, a service and leadership living learning community. In her work with VT Engage, she holds numerous leadership positions, including leading international alternative spring break trips.

"One of the things I admire most about Emily is the way she genuinely connects with others," said Jacob Grohs, associate director of Engaged Learning and Scholarship at VT Engage. "She is the kind of person who will make the most of this experience with a curious, reflective, and adventurous spirit ready to learn from the connections she will make with other students." 

Following her trip to London, Neer will travel to Kenya for two weeks on a mission trip to work in rural communities with a local hospital.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech takes a hands-on, engaging approach to education, preparing scholars to be leaders in their fields and communities. As the commonwealth’s most comprehensive university and its leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers 240 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 31,000 students and manages a research portfolio of $513 million. The university fulfills its land-grant mission of transforming knowledge to practice through technological leadership and by fueling economic growth and job creation locally, regionally, and across Virginia.

Written by Lindsey Gleason.
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