In its sixth year, the TCAdvance Scholarships have been awarded to 10 Turkish American students for the 2012-13 academic period.
Each year, American students of Turkish heritage, who pursue a career in public policy, international affairs, media and law compete for the TCAdvance Scholarships. The TCAdvance Scholarship Program aims to cultivate a new generation of Turkish American leaders, who are recognized for their academic achievement and commitment to our community.
In addition to the 11 students who will receive the TCAdvance Scholarship for the first time, 6 former recipients from 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 who met the renewal criteria will continue to receive scholarships for the 2012-2013 academic year.
Oya Aktas
Born in Ankara, Turkey, Oya graduated from the Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa, OK. She is a freshman at the Washington University in St. Louis, where she will be pursuing a degree in Political Science. An accomplished violist, Oya is planning on attending law school upon graduation.
Zelda Elcin
A first year law student at the University of Minnesota Law School, Zelda has worked with Senator Charles Schumer of New York and is hoping to serve as an elected public official in the future. Zelda is one of the two TCAdvance Scholars to receive the Robert C. Byrd Memorial Scholarship designation in 2012.
Sibel Ilksoy
Born in Atlanta, GA, Sibel is a freshman at Emory University. An active member of the Turkish American Association of Georgia, Sibel has been recognized repeatedly for her social and academic excellence.
Daphne McCurdy
A Tufts alumna, Daphne is pursuing a Master’s in International Relations at Princeton. Daphne is a Fulbright Scholar and has worked as Senior Research Associate at the Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED). Daphne is the second TCAdvance Scholar to receive the Robert C. Byrd designation in 2012.
Sezan McDaniel
Born in Houston, TX, Sezan is a second year Master’s candidate at the American University’s School of International Service. A University of Houston alumna, Sezan has held various internship positions at leading organizations on U.S.-Turkey relations and is hoping to dedicate her career to improving bilateral relations between the two nations.
Rabiah Oral
Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Rabiah hails from Ypsilanti, MI. A junior at the University of Michigan at Dearborn, Rabiah is pursuing a joint degree in Political Science and Pre-Law. She is involved extensively in the Turkish community in Michigan and has worked in various U.S. political campaigns.
Altay Otun
A Boston, MA native, Altay is a junior at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, majoring in Political Science and Middle East Studies. A former intern at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Altay was also an intern in Congress under the TCA Washington Summer Internship Program in 2012.
Sara Tuncten
Born in Kansas City, MO, Sara is a University of Nebraska - Lincoln freshman, where she will be pursuing a degree in International Relations with a minor in Spanish.
Ayhan Ucok
Ayhan is a first year Master’s candidate at the American University’s School of International Service. She is a recent graduate of University of California at Santa Barbara with a B.A. in Political Science and International Relations. Upon graduation, Ayhan wishes to work for the U.S. government.
Selen Yalin
Born in Nashville, TN, Selen is a freshman at North Carolina State University, pursuing an Education and International Affairs joint degree.
