Arts & Sciences Alum Named Inaugural Samvid Scholar

Debbie Rabinovich, C'19, has been chosen for the inaugural class of 20 Samvid Scholars. The scholars were selected from more than 700 applicants for their academic and leadership achievements, and for their drive to make positive changes in society.

Rabinovich graduated with a double major in urban studies, and gender, sexuality, and women’s studies, with minors in religion, Latin American and Latino studies, and anthropology. She is currently pursuing a law degree at Yale University, where she says she is keen to explore issues that concern the rule of law, due process, excessive use of force by law enforcement, and redress for historic injustice. She also is completing her master’s degree this year in socio-legal research from the University of Oxford in England, where her research has focused on the construction of redress and reparations within survivor testimonies of Japanese internment. At Penn she was a Dean’s Scholar in 2019, a Hassenfeld Foundation Social Impact Research Fellow in 2018, a Penn Wharton Public Policy Initiative Fellow in 2017, a Robert A. Fox Research and Service Fellow in 2016, as well as in CityStep Penn, the Cipactli Latino Honors Society and Shamash Senior Society.

The Samvid Scholars were chosen by the board of Samvid Ventures, a foundation “dedicated to improving the lives of underserved individuals.” The Samvid Scholars program was established this year as a merit-based graduate scholarship for future leaders.

Rabinovich applied to the Samvid Scholars program with the support of Penn’s Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships.

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