Hannah Godfrey, an Appalachian senior psychology major from Cary, on a glacier during personal travel. Photo submitted
BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University’s Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships recently announced Hannah Godfrey, a senior psychology major from Cary, has been awarded a David L. Boren Scholarship to study Bahasa — Indonesia’s official language — during the 2019–20 academic year. She is one of 244 undergraduates nationally to receive the Boren award, allowing her to acquire language skills and cultural experience critical to U.S. national security.
Godfrey is the first Appalachian applicant to apply for and receive a Boren Scholarship since 2007.
Boren Scholarships, an initiative of the National Security Education Program (NSEP), provide funding opportunities for U.S. undergraduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America and the Middle East. In exchange for funding, Boren Awards recipients agree to work in the federal government for a period of at least one year.
“To continue to play a leadership role in the world, it is vital that America’s future leaders have a deep understanding of the rest of the world,” said former U.S. Sen. David Boren, the principal author of the legislation that created the NSEP and the Boren Scholarships and Fellowships that bear his name. “As we seek to lead through partnerships, understanding of other cultures and languages is absolutely essential.”
Godfrey, who is minoring in military science and leadership as well as statistics, has already began her yearlong Boren adventure. She is currently attending the Southeast Asian Studies Summer Institute (SEASSI), an eight-week intensive summer language program hosted by the University of Wisconsin–Madison that is designed to prepare students to study overseas.
“I have chosen (this) yearlong experience because I recognize the need to scaffold my education by moving from the classroom to immersion, to working within the culture,” Godfrey said.
While at Appalachian, Godfrey has conducted neuroscience research in Dr. Mark Zrull’s psychology lab, investigating an area of the brain called the entorhinal cortex and its relationship to learning and memory. She is also a member of Appalachian’s Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC).
“Because of my commitment to ROTC, I will enter directly into the U.S. Army after completing my undergraduate degree,” Godfrey said. “Through Boren, I will have the opportunity to learn a language and culture that is vital to U.S. national security, and I will be able to refine my ability to adapt to other cultures. I will grow as a diplomatic team member and learn more about the largest threats our nation faces today, making me a more adept officer and defender of U.S. national security.”
In late August, she will depart for Malang, Indonesia, for the Indonesian Flagship Languages Initiative (IFLI) for Boren Scholars — a 15-week program that includes 600 hours of formal classroom education and a vast amount of informal contact hours hosted by Universitas Negeri Malang.
After completing the IFLI, Godfrey will relocate to Yogyakarta, located on the Indonesian island of Java, to participate in the Development Studies Immersion Program (DSIP) hosted by Gadjah Mada University. Once there, she will enroll in six weeks of Indonesian language classes and eight weeks of field experience working with a local nongovernmental agency or government agency.
This year, the Institute of International Education (IIE), on behalf of the NSEP, awarded 244 Boren Scholarships to undergraduate students and 106 Boren Fellowships to graduate students to add important international and language components to their educations by studying overseas in world regions critical to U.S. interests.
The 2019–20 Boren Scholars and Fellows will live in 39 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America and the Middle East. They will study 30 different languages. The most popular languages include Arabic, Mandarin, Russian, Portuguese, Swahili and Hindi.
Since 1994, over 6,000 students have received Boren Awards. Boren Scholars and Fellows represent a vital pool of highly motivated individuals who wish to work in the federal national security arena, and program alumni are contributing to the critical missions of agencies throughout the federal government.
For more information about the Boren Awards and how to apply, contact the Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships at [email protected] and/or visit https://ncs.appstate.edu.
What do you think?
Share your feedback on this story.
About Nationally Competitive Scholarships
Nationally Competitive Scholarships (NCS) works with the Appalachian community to recruit and support students for nationally competitive scholarships and fellowships, including those that support research, teaching and critical language learning. This is achieved with outreach, mentorship and advising throughout the entire application and selection process. NCS is committed to helping undergraduate and graduate students find ways to connect their Appalachian education to their future endeavors through scholarship opportunities. Learn more at https://ncs.appstate.edu.
About the Dr. Wiley F. Smith Department of Psychology
Appalachian State University’s Dr. Wiley F. Smith Department of Psychology serves more than 1,400 undergraduate majors seeking the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in psychology, as well as 90 graduate students across four graduate programs: experimental psychology (MA), industrial-organizational psychology and human resource management (MA), school psychology (MA/SSP) and clinical psychology (PsyD). Learn more at https://psych.appstate.edu.
About the Department of Mathematical Sciences
The Department of Mathematical Sciences offers undergraduate degrees in actuarial science and mathematics, with concentrations in business, computation, life sciences, physical sciences, secondary teaching and statistics, plus a general, self-designed concentration. The department also offers the Master of Arts in mathematics, with concentrations in college teaching and secondary teaching. Learn more at https://mathsci.appstate.edu.
About the College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college. These units span the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. CAS aims to develop a distinctive identity built upon our university's strengths, traditions and locations. The college’s values lie not only in service to the university and local community, but through inspiring, training, educating and sustaining the development of its students as global citizens. More than 6,800 student majors are enrolled in the college. As the college is also largely responsible for implementing App State’s general education curriculum, it is heavily involved in the education of all students at the university, including those pursuing majors in other colleges. Learn more at https://cas.appstate.edu.
About the Department of Military Science and Leadership
One of seven departments housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, Appalachian’s Department of Military Science and Leadership is home to the Mountaineer Battalion. Established in 1969, the program provides students with training to develop self-discipline, physical stamina and poise, as well as the organizational and motivational skills that contribute to success in any career. Students who complete the ROTC program earn credits for a minor in military science and leadership and are commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army, Army Reserves or Army National Guard upon graduation. Learn more at https://rotc.appstate.edu.
About the College of Fine and Applied Arts
Appalachian State University’s College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance. Learn more at https://cfaa.appstate.edu.
About University College
Formed in 2007, University College consists of the university’s general education program, faculty and student support, and co-curricular programming and support – all designed to support the work of students both inside and outside the classroom. All students at Appalachian begin their education in University College and benefit from its programs until they graduate. Learn more at https://universitycollege.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.
![App State to offer AI concentration in master’s programs [faculty featured]](/_images/_posts/2025/04/ai-concentration-600x400.jpg)
