Brandeis Alumna Named One of 32 American Rhodes Scholars in 2018

Brandeis alumna and current Stanford University senior, Madeleine Chang ’09, was recently selected one of 32 American Rhodes Scholars from a candidate pool of 866. Rhodes scholarships provide all expenses for two or three years of study for each scholar at the University of Oxford in England. “I plan to study the social science of the Internet, a field that focuses on the social and political implications of technological systems,” says Chang. “I became interested in this area in part growing up in San Francisco’s tech boom and seeing the way the Internet is a mirror of society, not completely separate from it. At Oxford, I hope to study an ethical framework for the digital age.”

 

At Stanford, Chang is a history major and co-president of AMENDS, American Middle Eastern Network for Dialogue at Stanford, a student-led initiative that fosters dialogue and understanding between the United States and countries across the Middle East. “AMENDS brings together young leaders working on social impact projects from the Middle East, North Africa, and the United States,” Chang says. “Growing up going to Brandeis and learning Hebrew, I was also interested in Middle Eastern studies, and wanted to gain perspectives beyond those of my immediate community.” And Brandeis has played a role in Chang’s perspective on more than just the Middle East. “Brandeis taught me the importance of tradition and inter-generational knowledge, l’dor v’dor. At my bat mitzvah, for example, my Jewish grandma gave me a tallit, as is customary, and my Korean grandma gave me a Korean gown called a hanbok.”

 

On her selection as a Rhodes scholar, Chang exclaims, “I was surprised and honored! And incredibly grateful to all those who made it possible—family, friends, mentors, advisors, professors, and communities.” And finally, her advice to current Brandeis students? “Seek out opportunities to meet people who are different from you as much as possible!”