The Phi Beta Kappa Society—America’s most prestigious academic honors society—recently named its student recipients for the 2024 Key into Public Service Scholarship. Among the more than 700 students to apply nationwide, Gettysburg College’s Juliette Rhinow ’25 was one of only 20 selected to receive the award.
“When I applied over winter break, I genuinely had no idea that I would be chosen. I saw that it was very selective and thought that I didn’t have a shot. I couldn’t be happier to have been accepted,” Rhinow shared.
Key into Public Service Scholars are recognized for their remarkable breadth and depth of knowledge across the liberal arts and sciences. The recipients receive a $5,000 undergraduate scholarship and participate in an educational conference in Washington D.C. during the summer. This week-long conference engages scholars with training, mentoring, and reflection on pathways into local, state, and federal public service.
As a public policy and women, gender, and sexuality studies (WGSS) double major with a concentration in social justice, Rhinow looks forward to living in D.C. after graduation and perusing a career in either public service government or non-profit work.
“Changemaking drives everything that I do,” Rhinow shared.
Along with her studies, Rhinow was able to bring a chapter of Amnesty International—the largest global human rights organization— to the Gettysburg College campus. She also works as an office assistant and social media ambassador for both the Public Policy and WGSS Offices, she is a residential assistant (RA), and she is the chair of the Public Policy Student Council.
“I have always been very invested in human rights and social justice,” she added. “My interest started in 6th grade when I was required to do a research project on a changemaker, and I did mine on Malala [Yousafzai]. Her story, fighting for women’s education, is what really inspired me. I remember getting a good grade on that essay and realizing that it was something I loved. From there, my interest expanded to environmental justice and ballooned into social justice as a whole.”
Rhinow acknowledges her mentor, Professor Anne Douds, as being instrumental in her academic success.
“Having someone who is so maternal, influential, and inspiring has been extremely helpful. I took an introduction to public policy class with her, and since then, she has been the person who has helped me get through my entire undergraduate experience. She was the one who introduced me and told me to apply for the scholarship,” she explained.
“One key thing that I learned at Gettysburg College is the importance of mentorship for women,” she added. “The Eisenhower Institute Women and Leadership program, which Prof. Douds ran, really drilled this idea.”
Through the Eisenhower Institute (EI) program, not only was Rhinow able to gain leadership experience—something that Gettysburg College recognizes as an enduring skill most valued by employers—but she also felt inspired to give back.
“At the end of the day, changemaking is what I hope to do.”
By Brooke Askin’25
Photos by Abbey Frisco
Posted: 05/13/24