Ciattei First SU Student to Reach Rhodes Scholar Finals

SALISBURY, MD---Salisbury University senior Christian Ciattei recently was named a finalist for the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship.

Ciattei was among 235 applicants from 76 colleges and universities who reached the final interview stage of the competition. SU was among 12 institutions represented that had never before had a student win a Rhodes Scholarship.

“It can be intimidating applying and interviewing for some of the most admired and competitive scholarships,” said Ciattei. “It was exciting competing at such a high level and being able to meet the other finalists and represent SU when surrounded by so many students with diverse higher education experiences, including Ivy Leagues” 

Rhodes Scholars are chosen in a two-stage process. First, applicants must be endorsed by their college or university. This year, more than 2,300 students began the application process; 826 were endorsed by 247 different colleges and universities.

“This interview process was very unique,” said Ciattei. “The committee was very kind and encouraging of your accomplishments; it felt like they wanted to get to know you. That style brought a comfort and thoughtfulness to the process despite the rigor of answering complex questions about social and ethical issues.” 

Ciattei has successfully submitted and won multiple national and internationally acclaimed grants including a National Collegiate Honors Council Portz Interdisciplinary Fellowship, Barry Goldwater and DAAD Rise scholarships. 

“The big difference with the Rhodes Scholar application is the independence required that some of the others I’ve worked on haven’t had,” said Ciattei. “While others call for collaboration, rewrites, and mentor oversight this one has to be done on your own, and all of my work so far had prepared for this application.” 

Ciattei is a geography and geosciences major from Perry Hall, MD, and member of SU’s Glenda Chatham and Robert G. Clarke Honors College, and men’s track and field team. 

“I’m so proud that SU has our first ever Rhodes Scholar finalist,” said Dr. Kristen Walton, director of SU’s Nationally Competitive Fellowships Office. “This is another example of the quality of our programs and shows that we can provide students the opportunities and resources needed to compete among the nation’s best.” 

The Rhodes Scholarships are among the oldest and most celebrated international fellowship awards in the world and provide full financial support to pursue a degree at the University of Oxford. Rhodes Scholars are selected not only for their outstanding scholarly achievements, but for their character, commitment to others and to the common good, and for their potential for leadership. 

“Sometimes the learning experience is the application process itself, and there’s value in applying even if you don’t win,” said Ciattei. “I would strongly encourage any student to work with SU’s Nationally Competitive Fellowships Office to apply for anything and everything they can. You never know how far you get until you try, and you’re constantly improving the quality of your work along the way.” 

SU students or alumni who are interested in applying for national fellowships may contact Walton, SU nationally competitive fellowships director, for assistance.  For more information visit www.salisbury.edu/nationalfellowships. 

Learn more about how SU students and faculty are exploring opportunities for greatness and making tomorrow theirs at www.salisbury.edu.