Aden Helps Current Scholars Study Abroad

The Global Scholars scholarship was instrumental in allowing Mackenzie Aden (‘18 Cohort) to go abroad for her first time in the summer of 2018. While at the University College London, she enjoyed an immersive social justice lawyering course, explored London and Western Europe, and met lifelong friends. Grateful for the opportunity, and especially the scholarship, Aden reached out to Global Scholars this past spring about an annual donation to the program.

“Even with a scholarship from my host university, I would have had a difficult time studying abroad without the financial support of Global Scholars,” Aden said. “It is important for me to support students in the same position and encourage them to partake in the very interesting array of seminars and opportunities.”

The Houston native chose KU for its outstanding reputation, friendly students, and gorgeous campus. She started college wanting to major in political science but soon added history as a second major. Dr. Marie Grace Brown, associate chair and associate professor of history, served as her Global Scholars mentor. Aden’s project, “Changing of the Guard:A New Revolution in Military Affairs, Privatization, and an Evolving Culture of War,” studied the U.S. military’s transition from drafted and volunteer armed forces to privatized missions and the dangers of becoming too reliant on third-party contractors in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Aden was not sure whether she would go into the family business – law – but after multiple years on the KU mock trial team, her knowledge and interest in law grew. She found her passion in legislative lawyering, which advances and implements legislation essential for advancing social justice.

Fellow Global Scholar and KU mock trial team member Samuel Fenton (’17 cohort) remembers Aden exemplifying all the best characteristics of an “intellectually curious” person.

“Mackenzie never stops at the simple answer and has a great of way always coming across as interested rather than skeptical. While Mackenzie and I practice law in different states, I am confident that intellectual curiosity continues to serve her well,” said Fenton, who is an associate attorney at Wolff Hislop & Crockett PLLC after graduating Summa Cum Laude from Gonzaga Law School in 2022.

In her three years at KU, Aden managed to graduate with two majors, earn multiple accolades, complete a semester-in-practice internship in Washington, D.C., and study abroad in the U.K. She went on to the University of Texas School of Law and had multiple internships on Capitol Hill before graduating in 2022. She currently works as a Regulatory Compliance Analyst for Initial Listings at Nasdaq in D.C. and serves as a passionate volunteer for the Judge John R. Brown Admiralty Moot Court Competition. You can always find her at her favorite KU hangout, Clyde’s, on game day cheering on the Jayhawks.

“My advice would be to take the leap! Studying abroad – especially going on a program where you don't know anyone – is intimidating but worth it. For those looking for global influence closer to Lawrence, check out some of the great cultural clubs, language classes, or non-Western History classes KU has to offer,” she said.  

Aden’s gift, which her company matched, will be given to a member of the incoming 2024 cohort. Up until 2020, every Scholar received a scholarship to study abroad, but due to budget cuts, we can no longer offer this financial support. Please email Michelle Ward if you are interested in helping reestablish the Global Scholars scholarship.