WVU journalism junior selected as University’s 28th Truman Scholar

A West Virginia University student committed to public service, journalism and civic engagement has been named a recipient of the Truman Scholarship, earning one of the nation's top graduate fellowships.

Rozaireo "Ro" Jones, a native of Fairmont, is the recipient of the prestigious annual award given to college juniors with exceptional leadership potential and a commitment to public service.

"Ro is an inspiring, interested, and introspective student and leader who has dedicated himself to public service on- and off-campus," President Michael T. Benson said. "Designed to be a living memorial, the Truman Scholarship champions the value President Harry Truman placed on education. Knowledge, he once said, is 'the citadel of human freedom.' Ro will help carry on that important legacy."

Jones, who is majoring in journalism with minors in history and political science, said his advocacy work is rooted in public interest reporting and helping people better understand the systems that shape their lives.

"My passion is both elevating voices that are traditionally not heard, and helping people understand the world and why it works the way it does, specifically when it comes to media, policy, political institutions and elections," he said. "There is a lot of movement and interests that guide our political landscape, and enlightening people about why institutions are failing, succeeding or existing in the first place is incredibly important."

Jones said he plans to attend the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy in Washington, the heart of where he said he hopes to focus his advocacy efforts.

"It isn't very often that you have an advocate for the interests of the Appalachian region in these spaces," he said. "I hope to elevate many of the challenges facing our region and regions like ours, not just to people who can make change, but to hold them accountable to that change through my reporting and intimate public policy knowledge as well."

With a mom who's a teacher and a dad who's a pastor, Jones grew up in an environment that valued education and community service.

"Both function as a service to local communities in different ways, but my parents taught me the importance of being there for your neighbor," he said. "My mom's inclination toward teaching especially inspired me to want to educate people in my own way as a journalist."

Jones said he believes journalism plays a vital role in a healthy democracy but recognizes its role as a public service is increasingly questioned.

"I see journalists as, obviously, an accountability mechanism for our government," he said. "I think they need to play a more active role in preserving democracy, and part of that comes with making sure that there is purpose behind journalism and re-earning public trust through that."

For Jones, a step in the right direction would be to find a better balance between passive, long-form and investigative journalism.

"I advocate for journalists to engage more intimately with analysis, while striving to more rigorously weave objective reporting into that same analysis by relying on the voices of underserved communities and data," he said.

As a student, Jones has had several opportunities to gain experience in that style of journalism, including as a freelance reporter for 100 Days in Appalachia where he interviewed Gen Z voters across the state and shared their perspectives during the 2024 presidential election. He also worked as a press intern for U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin and as an intern with the Student Press Law Center.

On campus, he serves as vice president of the Student Government Association, a role that has been pivotal in shaping his understanding of political leadership and journalism.

"The principles of being a journalist and being a politician are very different in many ways and it's something that I've had to reconcile with, especially when leading an organization with over 150 members," he said. "I think both roles have helped me better understand political pragmatism and the importance of cultivating relationships."

And for Jones, the skills and connections he's built at WVU were necessary to pursue the Truman Scholarship and his future career.

"My winning of the Truman Scholarship is absolutely undergirded by so many people who invested in me and were passionate about the project of education and what education can do for people," he said.

One of those people is 2000 Truman Scholar Amy Cyphert, associate professor of law and the Truman Scholarship faculty adviser.

"I'm delighted to welcome Ro into the Truman Scholar family," she said. "He has already shown himself to be an innovative leader who does not shy away from asking hard questions about technology and journalism, and I know firsthand that this scholarship will provide him with opportunities to hone his skills and be even more effective as a change agent for the public good."

Support for Jones's application was provided by the WVU ASPIRE Office, which helps students pursue nationally competitive scholarships.

-WVU-

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