Eli Glickman, a senior Political Science major and Public Policy minor in the UC Berkeley College of Letters & Science from Bethesda, MD, has been named a 2025 Marshall Scholar, the university’s first since 2022. As a Marshall Scholar, Glickman will be funded for two years of graduate study in the United Kingdom. Glickman is Berkeley’s 34th recipient of the Marshall Scholarship since its inception in 1953.
“I was extremely pleased when I first learned that I had been selected as a Marshall Scholar,” Glickman shared. “The application process involved a great deal of time and effort, and I was delighted that my work paid off. I am also profoundly grateful and excited for the opportunity to spend two years studying in the United Kingdom.
“The Marshall Scholarship is considered one of the most highly prestigious scholarships for US citizens,” said Alicia Hayes, Associate Director of National Scholarships and Experiential Fellowships with the Office of Undergraduate Research & Scholarships (OURS). “The fact that Berkeley students are recipients of the scholarship confirms they possess the intellectual preparation to thrive in their chosen graduate programs in the United Kingdom.”
Glickman, who plans to use the award to earn master's degrees in history at the University of Oxford and war studies at King's College London, was selected as one of the 36 winners of the 2025 Marshall Scholarships out of 983 applications.
“I was drawn to the history program at Oxford because of my interest in learning history as a method for analyzing strategic and political challenges,” said Glickman. "The war studies course at King's College is a one-of-a-kind academic program devoted to the multidisciplinary study of warfare. I am eager for the opportunity to learn new analytical methods for studying problems at the intersection of technology and international security.”
“Eli exhibits each of the criteria sought by Marshall Scholars: academic merit, leadership potential, and ambassadorial potential,” said Hayes, who worked closely with Glickman to prepare for his Marshall candidacy. “However, what I find most remarkable about Eli is his commitment to his field of study, his involvement in offering his peers the opportunity to engage in public service through the Hamilton Society, and his humility.”
Marshall Scholarships describes ideal candidates for the award as having "the potential to excel as scholars, leaders and as contributors to improved UK-U.S. understanding." This focus on international cooperation between the United Kingdom and United States drew Glickman to the Marshall Scholarship.
“[The] Marshall Scholarship is an effort by the UK government to invest in the mutual understanding between the U.S. and the UK. As a student in the UK, I intend to immerse myself in British culture so I can contribute to that relationship after I complete my graduate studies,” stated Glickman.
Glickman, whose research interests lie in nuclear strategy, emerging military technologies, and defense policy, finds the opportunity to study in the UK uniquely valuable for his chosen field of study.
“My interest in the Marshall Scholarship, beyond the academic opportunity it offers, was driven by my belief that the U.S.-UK relationship is vitally important,” Glickman shared. “The UK is the only country with which the U.S. has shared its most sensitive nuclear secrets, and together, the U.S. and UK work to sustain the NATO alliance and its nuclear deterrent. As someone who hopes to devote my career to defense policy, the opportunity to study in the UK and learn British perspectives on international security issues is invaluable.”
Glickman plans to make the most of his time in the UK by taking advantage of opportunities both in and out of the classroom.
“During my time in the UK, I plan to engage with extracurricular organizations to deepen my understanding of [international security] issues,” said Glickman. “Oxford's Strategy, Statecraft and Technology Changing Character of Warfare Centre, for example, gives students an opportunity to perform academic research on emerging military affairs issues, like the Australia-UK-U.S. trilateral agreement, and engage directly with policymakers across NATO. Likewise, studying at King's in London will give me opportunities to engage with British think tanks like the Royal United Services Institute and Chatham House, allowing me to familiarize myself with British perspectives on security policy issues.”
This holistic learning approach is similar to that which Glickman employs at Berkeley. Glickman credits opportunities he has had as a UC Berkeley undergraduate with driving his interest in the international security field.
“The Berkeley Risk and Security Lab (BRSL) and the Institute of International Studies have introduced me to cutting-edge research on these topics, and I have been fortunate to interact with leading scholars in the field through those institutes. Moreover, my work as an undergraduate researcher at BRSL has expanded my knowledge and forced me to think critically about international security issues,” said Glickman. “[The] classes I've taken with Andrew Reddie, Daniel Sargent, Ron Hassner, Bethany Goldblum, Janet Napolitano, Daniel Zoughbie, and Aila Matanock have all enabled me to grow as a thinker, and I am grateful for the opportunities they have given me.”
Among influential courses in Glickman’s academic career, a standout is Professor Andrew Reddie's course “War? Politics, Security, and Emerging Technologies,” which intrigued his attention toward nuclear policy.
“At the time, it was a small, graduate-level seminar, which enabled me to grow as a writer and critical thinker.” Glickman said. “It helped me develop analytical frameworks for understanding changes in politics, technology, and warfare, which have been invaluable in my academic and professional careers since.”
Glickman describes Berkeley as “a place with boundless opportunities for everyone.”
“Throughout my time here, I have consistently been amazed by how much goes on at this school,” shared Glickman. “During my college admissions process, I saw Berkeley's size as a negative, but I've learned that it's really an asset. There truly is something for everyone at this school.”
Glickman encourages his peers in the College of Letters & Science to take advantage of their time at Berkeley in any way possible.
“L&S students seeking to get the most out of their time here should constantly seek new opportunities to learn and grow. Go to office hours. Learn what your professors are working on. Attend Cal-a-palooza. College is a unique time to learn and try new things; L&S students should take full advantage of all that Berkeley has to offer.”
The Marshall is not Glickman’s first national scholarship. Earlier this year, he was awarded a Harry S. Truman scholarship, which afforded him $30,000 for graduate studies, leadership training, career counseling, and internship opportunities within the federal government.
“National scholarship programs have had a significant impact on the trajectory of my academic career,” said Glickman. “Winning the Truman Scholarship last [academic] year gave me an opportunity to join a community of smart, driven people who are brought together by a shared devotion to public service. Those friendships and relationships have solidified my interest in a career in public service, and I am grateful to the Truman Foundation for that opportunity.”
Berkeley students interested in pursuing prestigious scholarships like the Marshall and Truman can learn more by visiting the OURS scholarships webpage or signing up for their newsletter
“National Scholarships and Experiential Fellowships within OURS works to publicize this opportunity and serves as the campus authority on the scholarship and the process,” Hayes said of the Marshall. “We are available to answer questions and work individually with each applicant as they prepare the application. We offer feedback on their writing in addition to helping them prepare for a finalist interview.”
Glickman shared his appreciation for OURS and Hayes, saying “I would like to express my profound gratitude to Mrs. Alicia Hayes for her faith in me and her support throughout this process. Mrs. Hayes is one of the kindest, most thoughtful people I have met during my time at this school, and this achievement would not have been possible without her. I encourage all students considering national scholarships to consult with her.”
