Zeba Kokan

2020 Truman Scholar

Hometown

Carmel, IN

Major

Brain and Behavioral Sciences; Global Studies

College

College of Health and Human Sciences; College of Liberal Arts

The Truman Scholarship recognizes and invests in leaders dedicated to a future in public service. Before her graduation in 2020, Kokan was the director of diversity and inclusion for student government and a member of Purdue’s Inclusion Diversity Ambassadors Program. In her role as Midwest regional program chair of the Muslim Youth of North America, she oversaw programming for the social and spiritual needs of the community and promoted civic and service engagement. Her experience includes initiating Islam Awareness Week as president of Purdue’s Muslim Students Association.

“I aspire to help reduce systematic discrimination at local and national levels by creating and advocating for policies that invoke the public health and socio-political contexts in which bias arises,” Zeba said. “I hope to implement community-based programs that highlight the mental health impact of anxiety related to the perils of discriminatory rhetoric and nationalism."