A Passion for Public Service

Right from the start, Mariam Khorenyan, SPA '18, found ways to extend her American University education beyond the classroom. A student in the School of Public Affairs' Department of Justice, Law, and Criminology (JLC), Khorenyan holds a federal work-study job in JLC where she has appreciated the unique opportunity to develop relationships with her professors while providing administrative support for the department. In addition, she serves as the President of AU's Consulting Club and volunteers with the International Accelerator Student Orientation.

Through her classes and campus involvement, Khorenyan has solidified her passion for a career of public service. She has completed several prestigious internships in the public service and government sectors, including at the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, Public Defender Service, and Executive Office of the President. Khorenyan is thankful to AU for these experiences and for encouraging her to discover her life's passions. "I've really become my own person at AU and appreciate the support I've received from the AU community along the way."

Khorenyan is always eager to share how meaningful her AU education has been to her. As an AU Ambassador and hometown recruiter, she gives weekly campus tours to prospective students and shares her pride in the university with high school students she encounters while she is home for winter break in the Los Angeles area. "I want to do my best to represent AU. Every time I get an opportunity to talk to prospective students and to tell them how incredible this university is, I do."

Khorenyan is the recipient of the Paul Howard Clarke, Paul Ager Clarke and Isabella Ager Clarke Endowed Scholarship in SPA. The Clarke Endowed Scholarship was established by Isabella Clarke, through a gift in her will, in the memory of her husband, Paul H. Clarke, and her son Paul A. Clarke, the latter of whom attended AU. The Clarke family had been involved in the public service arena for many years, inspiring Mrs. Clarke to create this endowment. Khorenyan has also received the Lois and George Schaefer Scholarship and the Judith K. Meritz and Lawrence A. Muenz Scholarship at AU.

Khorenyan explains that it has been the generosity of AU alumni and friends like the Clarkes that has allowed her to afford an AU education that will prepare her for a life of public service. "The scholarships I've been awarded have been a very big part of keeping me in school and have given me financial peace of mind. AU's investment in me reinforces my decision to come here to pursue my studies. I could not be more thankful for all the experiences and opportunities from my time at AU."

Invest in Your AU Passion

You can give a gift that helps bright and ambitious students like Mariam Khorenyan attend AU. Contact Seth D. Speyer at speyer@american.edu or 202-885-3411 to learn about the many ways you can support AU's students and programs.