Two UIC Students Win Public Service Scholarships

Two University of Illinois at Chicago students who plan careers in the public sector have been named recipients of the McKelvie Scholarships for Government Service.

Dartunorro Clark, a junior majoring in political science and communication, and Cezar D. Iordan, a junior majoring in criminology, law and justice, will receive the scholarship, which aims to promote leadership in public service.

Clark, a 2010 graduate of Chicago Vocational Career Academy, was inspired to pursue a career in government through UIC’s Chicago Civic Leadership Certificate Program, an intensive service-based writing program where students work in the field with non-profit partner organizations.

Clark hopes to “increase cultural competencies” as a future government press secretary or a U.N. or non-profit communications director.

“Media and politics are powerful tools to promote social change and create a dialogue about community issues,” says Clark, a resident of Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood. “I hope to use those tools to impact public and international policy.”

He is currently working as a policy and government affairs intern with the Better Government Association and was recently inducted into Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society. He plans to earn graduate degrees in public affairs reporting and international affairs.

Iordan, a native of Romania and resident of Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood, has research and career interests in criminal justice for the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of human behavior.

“Studying and working in this field provides insight into the minds of people and attempts to understand why certain people engage in criminal acts,” he says.

This summer, Iordan began an internship with the Chicago Police Department, where he analyzes crime statistics and participates in community meetings.

“The goal is to find a better method by which the police can increase the transparency level between citizens and police officers,” said Iordan, who plans to pursue a law degree.

The McKelvie Scholarship, offered by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, is open to undergraduates and graduates from all U.S. institutions. Fifteen scholarships, ranging up to $3,000, are awarded each year to students pursuing careers in government and public service.

UIC ranks among the nation’s leading research universities and is Chicago’s largest university with 27,500 students, 12,000 faculty and staff, 15 colleges and the state’s major public medical center. A hallmark of the campus is the Great Cities Commitment, through which UIC faculty, students and staff engage with community, corporate, foundation and government partners in hundreds of programs to improve the quality of life in metropolitan areas around the world. More information about UIC.