For Ella Paligo and Rozlyn NeVille Sun, leadership was shaped not only through achievement, but also through moments of challenge and faith that taught them to care for others more deeply. Their experiences led them to be named finalists for the 2026 Truman Scholarship, one of the nation’s top honors for students pursuing careers in public service. While their paths looked different, both women found experiences of uncertainty and service that shaped the way they lead and serve others.
Ella Paligo: Becoming a Passionate Leader
In 2023, Paligo arrived at BYU planning to attend law school to pursue a career in public service. Now scheduled to graduate in April 2027 with her Bachelors in Political Science and minors in business, civic engagement leadership, and global women’s studies, Paligo looks to the future to earn a Master of Divinity and J.D. As she does this, she can’t help but reflect on her defining BYU experiences that refined her desire to build a career dedicated to serving others.
From returning home early from a mission to serving in student leadership and interfaith organizations, these experiences helped her discover that as a future public defender, she wants to focus on criminal justice reform with interfaith communities.
During her first year at BYU, Paligo participated on the BYUSA student advisory council and was the campaign manager for the BYUSA 2024 president and vice president. Paligo then was called to serve in the Guatemala, Guatemala City Central mission. A few months into the mission, she came home due to health issues.
Returning to BYU in the fall, Paligo’s friend Caleb Rogers was running for BYUSA student body president. He asked if Paligo wanted to run with him as the student body vice president. Paligo embraced the opportunity and served as the 2025-26 student body vice president.
“Serving a mission and having to come home early is the reason I care so much about people and why I got more involved on campus,” Paligo said. “One of my favorite professors, Kelly Patterson, saw me in the Kimball tower, gave me a hug and said, ‘I'm so glad you're here.’ After having that experience, I felt I had a duty in whatever capacity to serve and uplift students to make sure they knew someone was glad they’re here. I decided to run [for vice president], because I was looking for any way I could give back to those who had given so much to me.”
Paligo discovered a sense of purpose through her involvement in BYUSA and through other student organizations such as the Wheatley Institute, Honors Program, and the Interfaith Student Association. Through these programs, Paligo explored the intersection of faith, research, and service. Working alongside students, faculty, and community members with diverse perspectives taught her how to build relationships and advocate for others with empathy. Those experiences strengthened her commitment to interfaith engagement.
As Paligo focused on serving others on campus, she met with Amy McLaughlin, National Scholarships and Prestigious Fellowships coordinator, to learn about the Truman Scholarship. As her junior year approached, she applied, and constantly felt supported by her family, friends, and professors. Paligo is grateful for every opportunity BYU has provided her and the chance to be selected as a Truman finalist.
“Isaiah 54:7 says, ‘For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee.’ That scripture has been a source of encouragement for me, especially because college is hard,” Paligo said. “Because of BYU, every day I am impacted by the mercies of our Savior. And it's all through other people who share their Christ-like love. I want to tell students that you are good enough. You are qualified, and to not be afraid to ask for help. Rely on Amy, rely on past winners, past finalists, because we're all here to support and help you.”
Rozlyn NeVille Sun: Finding Success through Challenges
Many moments impacted NeVille Sun, but one truly tells her story. When NeVille Sun was in high school, she had double knee surgery which resulted in her quitting her passion at the time—dance. She persevered, joined various clubs ranging from debate to Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, and through her experiences, she grew a passion for helping others.
“That time was one of the hardest moments of my life,” NeVille Sun said. “I remember I was in excruciating pain, and my mother would have to stay with me at night. I couldn't do anything by myself. There was a night where I just cried out to God saying, ‘God, no one understands this pain. No one understands what I'm going through.’ And I had a very clear voice telling me, ‘Jesus Christ understands, fully understands.’”
This spiritual experience helped her find the ability to endure. After recovering from another surgery, NeVille Sun served in the Sydney, Australia mission in 2022 Speaking Mandarin Chinese. Nine months in, she sprained her MCL. NeVille Sun constantly turned to God as she served the rest of her mission with a walker.
NeVille Sun loved her mission and because of it decided to pursue a double major in Mandarin Chinese and political science. While discovering her path, she became a research assistant for three different areas. Currently she works for Joel Selway, Ph.D., researching on regional identity in Thailand. For this work, NeVille Sun is in Thailand interviewing Chinese migrants speaking Mandarin, gaining firsthand research experience that strengthens her understanding of individuals to know how to better serve them.
NeVille Sun discovered the Truman Scholarship through her close friends, Jane Drinkwater, 2024 Truman Scholar, and Dallin Bundy, 2025 Truman Scholar. Through NeVille Sun’s years serving refugee families, homeless communities, and local civic initiatives, the scholarship aligned closely with her commitment to public service. The application process inspired NeVille Sun to pursue a Ph.D. in political science studying comparative politics focused on China.
NeVille Sun hopes future applicants will apply for the Truman if it aligns with their values, rather than shaping themselves for the Truman. She is grateful for all the help BYU has given her to pursue her education and is honored to be recognized as a Truman finalist.
“Without the university accommodations, I don't think I would be a success story at BYU,” NeVille Sun said. “I think I would have already drowned. But Jesus Christ and the trials that are given in our lives teach us to rely on him. Even if you're a perfectionist, you can't actually do it by yourself. It's easy to look at students who are struggling and think, ‘Why aren't you achieving these things?’ But we don't know what's going on in the background. I've learned a lot of empathy through these challenges. I've been given a lot of grace. And that's really helped me succeed at BYU.”
Paligo and NeVille Sun journey’s might not look the same, but through moments of uncertainty and growth, both women developed a deep sense of empathy that now guides their commitment to public service. Being named Truman finalists, they represent leadership rooted in compassion, faith, and a dedication to public service. In classrooms, communities, and future careers, Paligo and NeVille Sun exemplify what it means to lead with purpose and heart.
The Truman Scholarship supports students who are determined to make a difference through public service, awarding up to $30,000 toward graduate study. Applications for the 2027 cycle will open in the fall. Students interested in beginning the application process can contact national.scholarships@byu.edu to learn more.