From Prison to Public Service

“When I got to prison, I looked in the mirror and had a moment with myself: Was I going to give up on life, or was I going to change myself for the better?”

More than a decade later, Paul Boyd, a rising senior in the College of Arts and Sciences, has answered that question for himself and others. The philosophy major was named a 2024 Harry S. Truman Scholar, finding himself among 60 awardees chosen from 709 candidates nationwide. He is the first-ever Rutgers University–Camden student to receive the honor and one of a select few formally incarcerated students to join the scholarship program since its inception in 1975.

Although Boyd overcame incredible odds and navigated a highly competitive application process to become a Truman Scholar, it was far from the toughest challenge he has faced. That moment arrived when it was time for him to begin preparing for life after incarceration.

During his prison sentence, Boyd enrolled in the New Jersey Scholarship and Transformative Education in Prisons initiative, also known as NJ-STEP, a partnership of several higher education institutions in New Jersey, the State of New Jersey Department of Corrections, and the New Jersey State Parole Board that offers college-level courses to incarcerated individuals to assist in their transition to life upon release from prison.

“Participating in that program gave me a sense of what was possible with my life,” Boyd said. “It gave me a different vision of my future.”

Boyd enrolled at Rutgers–Camden in 2023 after earning an associate's degree. He plans to pursue a Ph.D. in philosophy after graduating from his undergraduate program. The Truman Scholar program will help him continue his educational journey with funding for graduate studies, leadership training, career counseling, and special internship and fellowship opportunities within the federal government.

Created by Congress shortly after President Truman died, the program is considered a living memorial to the nation's thirty-third president. who did not attend college but believed strongly in public service and in programs that would allow others to choose a career in the public sector. While many of those who are selected fall into the traditional profile of a college student, a select few in the program's history—like Boyd—are students with a non-traditional background.

Not surprisingly, the Rutgers–Camden community could not be prouder of Boyd.

“Paul is a living example of intellectual curiosity, scholarly dedication, and perseverance,” said Chancellor Antonio D. Tillis on the announcement of Boyd’s scholarship. “He now has a well-deserved place in the Rutgers–Camden history books, achieving this distinction through his hard work and academic excellence. I cannot wait to see how Paul will make the most of this opportunity as he builds a career in public service.”

Marsha Lowery, vice chancellor for student academic success, echoed the Chancellor's praise.

“Applying for such a competitive and prestigious award is time-consuming and nerve-wracking, but Paul recognized the strength of his candidacy and completed the process,” Lowery said. “I wish Paul the best in his time as a Truman Scholar, and I encourage other Rutgers–Camden students to follow his example.”

Paul Boyd is the first-ever student from Rutgers–Camden to be named a Truman Scholar and only the 16th student from Rutgers University since the scholarship program was created in 1975.

Paul Boyd alongside Rutgers–Camden Chancellor Antonio D. Tillis at Boyd's award reception.

Boyd has sought to make the most of his time on campus, engaging wholeheartedly in the university community and other opportunities to further his learning. In the summer of 2023, he participated in the Research Experiences for Undergraduates program, supported and funded by the National Science Foundation. His internship was designed to introduce formerly incarcerated students without a background in the STEM fields to various disciplines.

As part of that experience, he was selected to join the lab of Jerelle Joseph, an assistant professor of chemical and biological engineering at Princeton University. There, he spent time mutating specific RNA-binding proteins to assess their impact on dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

“Though challenging, I persevered through moments of doubt, driven by my unyielding curiosity and the support provided by staff and peers,” Boyd said. “This experience solidified my sense of belonging in academia and my ability to contribute meaningfully.”

Boyd, a native of Atlantic County and a proud father of three, is ultimately humbled by the honor of being named a Truman Scholar and hopes to eventually work for a program that supports incarcerated individuals interested in pursuing higher education and preparing for life after prison.

“There's a line of thought that helping others helps you, and I've found that is true,” said Boyd. “I want to work to remove the barriers that hinder people looking to change so they can access opportunities to better their lives and have a positive impact.”

Design: Douglas Shelton
Photography and Video: Ron Downes Jr.