Zoe Stylianides
I graduated from the University of Washington in 2025 with a double-major and departmental honors in both Political Science and Philosophy. My work centers on reimagining justice systems to reflect care, equity, and dignity rather than punishment. Through my honors thesis, “Rehabilitation or Retribution: A Comparative Study of Juvenile Justice in the United States, Italy, and Sweden,” I examined how differing legal philosophies shape youth outcomes and compliance with international children’s rights standards. This research solidified my commitment to advancing policies that prioritize rehabilitation and hope for those impacted by incarceration.
Across all of my roles, I have sought to build spaces where others can access opportunity and belonging. I founded the University of Washington Journal of Political Science to give undergraduates a platform to publish and be taken seriously as scholars, leading a team of eighteen and publishing over thirty student works in its first year. I also served as Director of Internal Policy on the Board of Directors for the student government, creating the first-ever internal policy internship program to make opportunities in student government more accessible. In addition to these on campus experiences, I also founded The Pathway Project, a youth empowerment initiative that connects at-risk teens with mentorship, education, and restorative programming based on my research. My involvement with the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program has further reinforced my conviction that justice must begin with care and prevention, not punishment.
Outside of my academic and advocacy work, I’m a lifelong equestrian, a second-degree black belt in karate, and an avid cook/foodie who loves sharing meals with family and friends.
I applied for this scholarship because I hope to build on this foundation before law school—studying how public policy can create conditions that expand belonging, stability, and hope. My long-term goal is to help redesign justice and social systems that equip every person with the opportunity to thrive.
Goals
In the near term, I hope to pursue graduate study focused on comparative social policy to deepen my understanding of how legal and social systems can better support at-risk youth. Long term, my goal is to work at the intersection of law and policy—advocating for and shaping reforms that replace punitive responses with systems rooted in care, rehabilitation, and opportunity. Ultimately, I aim to help build a justice framework that treats every person with dignity.
Tips
Believe in yourself – genuinely. It’s easy to look at past recipients and feel like you couldn’t possibly measure up, but you absolutely can. Your story, your values, and your perspective are uniquely yours—and that’s exactly what makes your application powerful. Additionally, take your time before starting to actually write. Spend a lot of time reflecting and brainstorming because the most authentic essays come from deep self-reflection, not from trying to sound impressive. Think about the moments that shaped you, what you care about most, and why. Once you have that clarity, the writing will flow naturally.
