While many University of North Georgia (UNG) students aim to win one scholarship to fund their educational experience and achieve their future goals, Katherine "Kat" Torres, '21, exceeded those objectives.
During her time at UNG, the first-generation graduate won three prestigious scholarships, studied abroad in Ireland and Australia, attended a State Department seminar, garnered the Newman Civic Fellowship, and most recently earned a highly competitive fellowship.
"As a first-generation student, my main objective was simply to graduate," Torres said. "I often saw scholarships as unattainable despite my academic abilities. But when I won Gilman in 2019 on my second attempt, I realized reapplying increased my chance of winning."
She followed that win with three more scholarships. Her most recent feat happened at the end of 2021. Torres earned the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship. The distinguished graduate of UNG's Honors Program was one of only 45 fellows in the nation to receive the fellowship that provides recipients up to $42,000 annually for two years to complete a master's degree program.
"Dr. Anastasia Lin saw my academic potential during my first year at UNG when I could not see it myself," Torres said. "Her mentorship and encouragement inspired me to propel myself toward opportunities I wouldn’t otherwise have pursued."
The Pickering Fellowship was the fourth nationally competitive scholarship for Torres. In spring 2021, she was selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program and the Boren Indonesian Flagship Language Program scholarship. She chose the Fulbright and is teaching English in Taiwan for the 2021-22 academic year. Torres also won the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship in December 2019.
Torres worked with the Nationally Competitive Scholarships (NCS) office on all of her applications.
"I did not win the first time I applied for the Gilman scholarship," Torres said. "But I reapplied for it two years later and won. I always remind myself that it is better to move slowly than to not move at all. Even when you don't win a scholarship, you gain writing skills and reflect on your career goals, which overall move you toward success."
Her persistence garnered her funding for a study abroad in Ireland.
"Learning about foreign relations between Ireland and the United States led me to search for career opportunities in the federal government, which led me to participate in the Cox-State Department Diplomacy Seminar," Torres said.
That seminar in 2019 changed her future trajectory.
"After the Cox-State Seminar simulations, I recognized that I obtained the skills and interests necessary to embrace the Consular Officer role and would be interested in seeking a permanent position within the Department of State," Torres said. "Foreign Service intersects with my personal and professional interests in international relations, public service and cultural exchange. The scholarships have been like stepping stones in forming my career path."
