A single conversation set Julia Dieter on the path to one of the nation’s most prestigious public service honors.
Last week, the junior public affairs major was named a 2026 Truman Scholar. She is one of 55 Truman Scholars chosen nationwide from 781 nominees representing 305 colleges and universities, and only the fifth UT student to earn the honor since 1975.
Truman Scholars are recognized for their academic excellence, leadership potential, and commitment to careers in government or the nonprofit sector. The scholarship provides funding for graduate study along with leadership training, career counseling, and access to internships and fellowships within the federal government.
Dieter first learned about the Truman Scholarship program through a friend in the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships. After looking into it, she decided to apply.
“I had experience in the area and am passionate about public service and public policy,” Dieter said. “I knew I wanted to get a master’s degree, and I thought this would be a great next step.”
The application process became a turning point, helping her narrow her focus going forward.
At UT and the Baker School, Dieter has been involved in a wide range of leadership activities. She is a Chancellor’s Honors Program student, Tocqueville Scholar, and Baker Scholar. Dieter is also a Baker Ambassador and is involved in several organizations, including the Student Government Association, Leadership Knoxville Scholars, and UT’s First-Year Experience Peer Mentor group. She also serves as the sole student commissioner for the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, a position appointed by the governor to represent all 222,281 students in public higher education in Tennessee.
“I could never have imagined being the student commissioner for the Tennessee Higher Education Commission,” she said. “But the experiences I’ve had here have given me the confidence to go for opportunities I didn’t think I could pursue. Freshman me wouldn’t believe it.”
Dieter has gained research experience with the Center for National Security and Foreign Affairs, working with faculty on projects ranging from U.S. nuclear policy to military corruption in NATO countries.
Dieter admits that balancing research, academics, and extracurricular commitments is no easy task. She relies heavily on intentional time management, using her Google Calendar to plan every detail. She multitasks where possible and makes time for hobbies that energize her, including climbing, hiking, thrifting, and exploring coffee shops. “Taking care of myself allows me to fully pursue these opportunities,” she said.
Balancing those roles gave Dieter a broad set of experiences. The Truman process challenged her to bring them into focus.
“I had to think about what I cared about, what experience I have, and how I want to translate that into a career,” she said. “I didn’t know if I wanted to go to law school or pursue a master’s degree, and it helped me realize I want to get my master’s now.”
Through that reflection, Dieter began to focus more clearly on education policy.
“Truman really helped me narrow down what I wanted to do,” she said. “It made me look at careers in education policy and helped me develop my understanding further.”
That focus will take shape this summer as Dieter heads to Washington, D.C., for an internship with the School Superintendents Association, where she will continue building experience in her chosen field.