University of Missouri

By Logan Jackson

March 18, 2025

When Josh Donaldson was recently named a finalist for the Truman Scholarship, he said he was flooded with excitement, gratitude and other emotions. And, he added, he couldn’t help but reflect on a specific conversation he had with the University of Missouri Office of Global and National Fellowships as a freshman.

“I knew when I arrived at Mizzou that I wanted to get involved in research,” said Donaldson, a junior biological engineering major who is also pursuing the Honors Certificate. “Those conversations connected me with the Office of Global and National Fellowships. During an introductory meeting and after discussing my interests, they mentioned that I should look into applying for the Truman Scholarship in a couple of years when I was eligible. I kind of stored that information away, and it’s really crazy to think I’m here now.”

A competitive national award, the Truman Scholarship identities aspiring leaders who are in their junior year of college. The prestigious award is designed to recognize and reward students who are committed to careers in public service. This year, there are 201 finalists from a pool of 743 applicants.

Donaldson worked with the Office of Global and National Fellowships throughout the application process. It’s an office that Donaldson is very familiar with. Along with his initial visit as a freshman, he worked with the team as a sophomore during his Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) application. With their guidance, Donaldson was able to secure funding to go to Tanzania to study Swahili.

“That experience was incredibly transformative,” Donaldson said. “It was just perfect. There were definitely challenges; I had never been out of the country and didn’t know Swahili, but I soon fell in love with the nature, the work and the people. I made lifelong friends, and I can’t say enough about receiving that scholarship.”

Donaldson has always had a heart for helping others. While he was originally interested in pursuing a degree related to nonprofit work, his love of math and science eventually won out. The biological engineering degree allows him to get the best of both worlds. The program features a science-based engineering curriculum that integrates engineering and biological sciences in the areas of health, sustainability and environmental stewardship.

“As I was making my college decision, I realized that I wasn’t going to be satisfied unless I was innovating,” Donaldson said. “Through the biological engineering degree, I’m able to combine my love of math and science with my passions for aiding others. I want to be an engineer of change, and Mizzou is providing me with a great opportunity to do just that.”

Along with his work in the classroom, Donaldson is creating change at Mizzou through undergraduate research and efforts with Tiger Pantry. Donaldson’s research has covered two very distinct topics – a psychological science study examining how factors in the home and school affect mathematical understanding in young children, and, more recently, a project focused on volumetric muscle loss.

“Growing up, people would ask me what my favorite subject was, and I would always talk about math and science, but I also loved writing essays and poetry,” Donaldson said. “I love the fact that at Mizzou I get to explore all my interests. My research experiences have been top-notch, and it’s been great to gain so much knowledge so early in my collegiate career.”

Donaldson is the executive director of Tiger Pantry, which serves, educates and empowers individuals facing food insecurity within the Mizzou community. He began as a volunteer and then served as an ambassador before moving into the executive director role.

As a finalist for the Truman Scholarship, Donaldson will participate in a regional interview in Kansas City, Missouri. He said that he’s excited for the next step – and that his work with the Office of Global and National Fellowships has prepared him for the interview.

“It’s a fundamental program for Mizzou,” Donaldson said. “Even if you don’t receive the award that you’re applying for, you learn so much about yourself throughout the process. I’ve learned how to tell my story and advocate for myself. The Office of Global and National Fellowships has been vital in this work, and I’m so thankful that I’ve been able to interact with the team so often.”