Andrew Tomusiak, B.A. ’24, a graduate of the George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs, has been selected as a 2026 Rhodes Scholar. The prestigious award will enable Tomusiak to study at the University of Oxford in England, where he will pursue a master’s degree in public policy and an M.Sc. in public policy research.
“I am proud and grateful for the opportunity to represent Elliott well,” Tomusiak said, “and only feel motivated to work harder and honor the recognition.”
No stranger to hard work, Tomusiak earned his commission in the U.S. Army Reserves at GW. As a reservist, he leads a platoon of 25 soldiers in human intelligence operations, while working full-time as a program analyst in the U.S. State Department. At GW, he co-founded a fellowship focused on interfaith dialogue and participated in multiple internships focused on peace and reconciliation. His B.A. degree was in international affairs, with a concentration in conflict resolution and dual minors in Arabic and political science.
Alyssa Ayres, dean of the Elliott School, celebrated the announcement of Tomusiak’s Rhodes Scholarship.
“This is a tremendous recognition for Andy, and we couldn't be more proud,” Ayres said. “At the Elliott School, Andy was a Dean’s Scholar and received GW-wide distinction as a 2024 Distinguished Scholar. He is also a natural leader—an Army reservist, platoon leader and founder of an interfaith fellowship organization. His focus on conflict resolution and his work experience at the State Department position him well for his further studies as a Rhodes Scholar. We’re thrilled for him and eager to see what he does next.”
According to Jacob Alan English, director of the Center for Undergraduate Fellowships and Research (CUFR), who coached him during a six-months-long application process, Tomusiak is the third GW student to receive a Rhodes Scholarship. Previous recipients include Josh Pickar, Rhodes-US '17 and Yosef Bukhari, Rhodes-Saudi Arabia '24. The Rhodes Scholarship is a global award, and different competitions are held worldwide.
“What makes Andy’s selection as a Rhodes Scholar especially meaningful is that it represents the culmination of six months of remarkable commitment,” English said. “He engaged in countless essay revisions, deep reflection, rigorous mock interviews and an intensive campus endorsement process designed to help candidates rise to their fullest potential.”
Tomusiak is from Boulder, Colorado. For his Dean’s Scholars thesis, he created a database to study why regime leaders pardon failed coup plotters, which he presented at the Stanford University Research Conference.
As a Rhodes Scholar, Tomusiak and 31 other outstanding students were selected from a pool of 965 candidates endorsed by 264 different institutions, according to an announcement by the Rhodes Trust. The estimated annual value of a Rhodes Scholarship is approximately $75,000, with total support of up to $250,000 depending on program length and field of study. The award covers all Oxford University fees; a living stipend; travel to and from Oxford; and research, conference or additional academic support where applicable.
“Andy’s success reflects not only his own intellectual strength and discipline, but also the strength of a world-class GW education,” English said. “For our office, he represents the kind of scholar we are proud to champion; one who is curious, principled and deeply committed to meaningful impact. We are immensely proud of him and offer our wholehearted congratulations.”
This year’s cohort of 32 Rhodes Scholars from the United States will join a global community of 100+ scholars from around the world. Since the first Rhodes Scholars were announced in 1904, a total of 3,706 students representing 329 U.S. colleges and universities have received the scholarship.
Michael Miller, a professor of political science and international affairs who was Tomusiak’s senior thesis adviser, praised his abilities and potential.
"Andy is a young man of extraordinary character and capability,” Miller said. “As an undergrad, he produced a senior thesis that would fit seamlessly alongside research by advanced Ph.D. students. His commitment to value-based foreign policy and conflict resolution gives me optimism for the next generation of diplomacy. He’s a worthy Rhodes Scholar and someone of unlimited potential."
