Three Duke Students Receive the Voyager Scholarship
left to right: Kimmy Parboosingh, Sally Maroa, and Megan Bonne
Class of 2027 students Megan Bonne, Sally Maroa, and Kimmy Parboosingh have received the Voyager Scholarship for Public Service. Created by the Obamas and Airbnb's Brian Chesky, this two-year scholarship for juniors supports young leaders who are committed to careers in public service.
From Miami, Florida, Megan Bonne is a double major in Biology and Global Health, dedicated to advancing health equity. At Duke, Bonne has conducted research analyzing brain activity for addressing hearing loss and studied zebrafish to better understand immune-related developmental pathways. She also helped develop health equity databases across multiple states, volunteered as a medical interpreter in nonprofit clinics, and created community projects centered on language access and patient advocacy. Bonne has also helped organize the Hialeah Cares Food Drive each year, supporting over 5,000 families in need.
Sally Maroa, from Seattle, Washington, is majoring in Global Health and International Comparative Studies. She has lived in Kenya, South Africa, and the US, which has informed her understanding of global communities. On campus, she is a committee member of the Black Student Alliance, conducts research with a Duke Bass Connections team that documents reproductive healthcare providers’ experiences since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and is a DJ for Duke’s college radio station. Maroa also serves as an organizer with Rhizome, a national youth mentorship and civic engagement organization.
Kimora Parboosingh is a Political Science major and aspiring international human rights lawyer. From Miramar, Florida, she has supported immigration relief cases at World Relief Durham and had taught refugee and marginalized youth in Mexico City, Mexico and Quito, Ecuador. As President of Duke’s Bench & Bar Pre-Law Society and Director of Communications for the Black Pre-Law Society, Parboosingh builds mentorship pipelines and resources for undergraduates. She participates on a Duke Bass Connections team studying the humanitarian impacts of the war in Gaza.
The 2025-2027 cohort of 100 students represents 34 states and territories and 71 colleges and universities. The Voyager Scholars receive up to $25,000 per year in financial aid, and a $10,000 stipend and Airbnb travel credits to design their own summer project in their field of study. The students also attend an annual summit for scholars and a yearlong networking and speaker series.
Duke students who are considering applying to this program should contact a Nationally Competitive Scholarships advisor. For more information about the Voyager Scholarship for Public Service, visit the Office of University Scholars and Fellows’ website.