University of Pennsylvania junior Zach McGrath, of Bethesda, Maryland, has received a Harry S. Truman Scholarship, a merit-based award of up to $30,000 for graduate or professional school to prepare for careers in public service.

Mr. McGrath is majoring in political science with a focus on education policy in the College of Arts & Sciences. He is among 55 Truman Scholars from 48 U.S. colleges and universities selected this year from 781 candidates nominated by 305 institutions. He is the 33rd Truman Scholar from Penn since the first award in 1977.

At Penn, Mr. McGrath is a research assistant to Laura Perna in the Graduate School of Education, contributing to studies on state-level college financial aid programs. He is also a student fellow at Perry World House; a fellow of the Institute for Urban Research; and a leader in Penn Student Government.

Mr. McGrath directs Philadelphia City Council member Isaiah Thomas’ Youth-powered Policy Lab, providing young Philadelphians with tools to address issues through legislation and research. He was also a member of the task force that implemented Philadelphia’s Board of Prison Oversight. He previously served a one-year term as the student member of the Anne Arundel County Board of Education in Maryland, where he championed increases in teacher pay and improvements to the transportation system, and interned for the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Mr. McGrath applied to the Harry S. Truman Scholarship program with assistance from Penn’s Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships.

In addition to funding, Truman Scholars also receive priority admission and supplemental financial aid at some graduate institutions, leadership training, and special internship opportunities within the federal government.

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation was created by Congress in 1975 as the nation’s living memorial to President Truman. The foundation’s mission is to select and support the next generation of public service leaders.