During the Spring 2024 semester, two John H. Martinson Honors Program scholars had the honor of being selected as walk-ons for the Stamps President’s Scholars Program at Georgia Tech. The Stamps President’s Scholars program is a merit-based scholarship that offers a full-ride, enrichment funds, and a national community for its students. Every year, a select handful of second-year students are selected to join the Stamps President’s Scholars Program based on their everyday adherence to the program’s pillars: Scholarship, Leadership, Progress, and Service. Meet our scholars, Esha Venkat (PUBP ‘26) and J’Avani Stinson (BIO ‘27).

Esha Venkat is the Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of NEST4US, an international non-profit dedicated to making the world better through kindness by mobilizing volunteers worldwide.  The organization seeks to advance progress on societal issues and spark equitable solutions for the greater good. Esha’s work with NEST4US has earned her honors and recognition such as the George H.W. Bush Points of Light Award and a feature on The Today Show! Thanks to Esha’s dedication, NEST4US is celebrating their 10-anniversary, honoring a decade of service to the community. On campus, she is a proud member of the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy and the JMHP community, representing the Honors Program on the Office of Undergraduate Education & Student Success Student Advisory Board. Esha was also recently accepted into the PUBP BS/MS program, so we’ll have her around for another year! You’ll frequently find Esha at Honors Leadership Council meetings, JMHP events, in the CRC, and on the Jacket Journey Leaderboard.

J’Avani Stinson is a student researcher at the Curtis Cell Physics Lab and a Co-op Pathways Intern at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC). His research lies at the intersection of biology, mathematics, and physics as it applies to human health and cell biology. While at NASA, J’Avani interned in the Human Health and Performance Directorate, working on applied research in astronaut health and analogs such as the Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA). He is also the Point of Contact for the Intern Outreach Committee, organizing service opportunities for the JSC community. On campus, J’Avani works as one of our JMHP Student Assistants, launching and contributing to projects such as our Alumni Wisdom Series and the expanded JMHP Awards. He is also a proud member of the College of Sciences and School of Biological Sciences, acting as a student ambassador for both groups. You’ll find J’Avani at HLC meetings, JMHP events, giving tours around campus, and at any of our GT Jazz Program performances.

Esha and J’Avani form a dynamic duo dedicated to service on campus and in local communities. As members of the Stamps President’s Scholars Ambassadors’ Community Service Committee and members of the JMHP Civic Service Committee, they organize opportunities for GaTech students to get involved. Keep an eye out for them getting lunch together at Rays!