**Noa Offman Awarded 2025 Rhodes Scholarship for Criminal Justice Advocacy**

Noa Offman, a senior at Georgetown University's College of Arts & Sciences, has been honored with the prestigious 2025 Rhodes Scholarship. She is among 32 outstanding recipients from the United States selected for the world's oldest and most competitive international scholarship.

Offman joins over 30 Georgetown students and alumni who have previously received the Rhodes Scholarship, including last year's honorees Thomas Batterman, Asma Shakeel, and Zhicheng (Charlie) Wang. The Rhodes Scholarship is awarded to young individuals demonstrating exceptional integrity, leadership, character, intellect, and a commitment to service, allowing them to pursue studies at the University of Oxford.

Robert M. Groves, Provost of Georgetown University, lauded Offman's achievements, both academically and in her service efforts. "We are incredibly proud of Noa's accomplishments," Groves stated. "She epitomizes leadership and integrity and is passionately committed to justice. We anticipate she will continue to make significant positive impacts globally."

At Oxford, Offman plans to pursue a master's degree in criminology and socio-legal studies, with a goal to return to the U.S. to drive prison reform initiatives. Expressing her gratitude, Offman acknowledged her parents, Georgetown University, and her mentor Colie "Shaka" Long, who played a pivotal role in her journey. Long, a program associate in Georgetown's Prisons and Justice Initiative, met Offman while he was still incarcerated and has since become a significant influence on her.

Offman's transformative journey into criminal justice reform began after hearing Long speak in her first-year theology course. Long, who served 26 years of a life sentence before his release in 2022, inspired Offman to dive deep into the injustices within America's prison system. Motivated by Long's experiences, Offman changed her academic focus from global health to justice and peace and has since dedicated herself to prison reform.

At Georgetown, Offman co-founded the Georgetown Restorative Initiative, working closely with university administrators to champion restorative justice and community healing. She played a key role in revising the Student Code of Conduct and led various training sessions, significantly expanding the Restorative Georgetown collective.

Erika Cohen Derr, associate vice president for student affairs, praised Offman's contributions, highlighting her ability to grow the group through proactive outreach. In October, Offman also helped organize a Restorative Open House, fostering dialogues on building enduring friendships amidst political differences.

Offman's dedication extends beyond the campus. She has interned with prominent law firms and the Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, where she actively advocated for incarcerated individuals' rights and gathered critical testimonies for litigation purposes.

Lauren Tuckley, director of the Center for Research & Fellowships, commended Offman's optimism and commitment to change, despite the challenges inherent in prison reform work. Offman remains hopeful, driven by her belief in incremental progress.

Aspiring to utilize her Rhodes Scholarship knowledge, Offman aims to transform the U.S. prison system profoundly. "I cannot remain complicit in a system thriving on hidden suffering," she declared. "I seek to expose the harsh realities of our carceral state and advocate for a humane and transparent justice system."