51ԹϺ alumnus Zachary Billot, ’24 Political Science and Brookings Public Policy, has been named a 2025 Marshall Scholar, marking a milestone as the first in the university’s history to earn this prestigious award.
Established in 1953, the Marshall Scholarship funds up to three years of graduate study at leading universities across the United Kingdom and is one of the most competitive academic honors in the world. Each year, approximately 50 students are selected from a highly competitive pool of more than 1,000 applicants, all of whom must first secure endorsement from their home universities. Billot was one of just 36 scholars chosen during the 2025 cycle.
Billot’s award is the culmination of years of extraordinary accomplishments. As an undergraduate in 51ԹϺ’s Honors College, he made university history in 2023 as the first to win both the Truman and Udall scholarships in the same year. Now, as a Marshall Scholar, he joins an elite group of leaders whose alumni include Supreme Court justices, Pulitzer Prize winners, and a Nobel laureate.
Born and raised in Las Vegas, Billot’s passion lies at the intersection of wildlife and policy. His work spans environmental field positions, including most recently an internship with the Fisheries and Wildlife Division in Washington, D.C. and bird research in Nevada’s Spring Mountains. Internationally, he has contributed to conflict reduction projects between humans and wildlife in Namibia and worked at the U.S. Department of State, where he explored the potential of foreign policy to drive environmental action.
Not All Sunshine and Rainbows
Looking at Billot’s impressive list of accolades, one might assume he has enjoyed an effortless rise to academic success. In truth, his journey has been marked by perseverance in the face of challenges.
“Growing up as a gay, tree-hugging, violin-playing kid from a conservative family, I felt I had to constantly validate my identity, both to myself and to the people around me,” Billot said. “Years of that taught me how to keep moving even when times felt tougher than I wanted them to be.”
Last year, his tenacity was tested when his initial applications for the Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships were unsuccessful, alongside disappointing graduate school application results. Instead of giving up, Billot dusted himself off and tried again.
“The resilience I developed as a member of the LGBTQ+ community was a major reason I had the wherewithal to continue applying to awards like Marshall," Billot shared. “Being named a Marshall Scholar this year is proof that good things happen to those who keep pushing."
"What sets Zach apart is that he’s not afraid of failure, and, perhaps more importantly, he’s not afraid of opportunity," said Martha Lizabeth Phelps, 51ԹϺ’s National Competitive Awards and Fellowship Advisor, who worked closely with Billot throughout his application process. “Zach will take the strengths of 51ԹϺ—a smart, scrappy, rising institution—and use them to shine in graduate school.”
A Vision for Global Impact
With the Marshall Scholarship, Billot plans to complete two master’s programs—one in environmental protection and management and another in global environment, politics, and society—at the University of Edinburgh. Studying in one of the most sustainable cities in Europe will enable him to deepen his expertise in global conservation policy while continuing to advocate for equity and inclusion.
During his time at 51ԹϺ, Billot spearheaded the creation of Nevada’s first higher-education Climate Action Plan, a groundbreaking $400 million initiative designed to make the university a national leader in sustainability. His advocacy extended to fostering opportunities for others, particularly vulnerable youth, through his roles in student government, environmental research, and community service.
“Zach’s character is marked by integrity, compassion, and a profound sense of duty,” said 51ԹϺ President Keith E. Whitfield. "His devotion to addressing climate change and protecting vulnerable communities will leave an indelible mark on the world, and we are incredibly proud to have been part of his remarkable journey."
Looking ahead, Billot plans to use his education in the U.K. as a springboard to a global career in environmental policy, with aspirations of becoming a Wildlife Policy Coordinator at the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
“The Marshall Scholarship is my catalyst to achieve what I want in international environmental protection work,” Billot shared. “As the first 51ԹϺ Marshall Scholar, I want to make the most of this opportunity while also working to make sure other first-gen students in Southern Nevada have a chance to find similar life-changing opportunities.”
About the Marshall Scholarship
Named for Secretary of State George C. Marshall, the began in 1953 as a gesture of gratitude to the people of the United States for the assistance that the UK received after World War II under the Marshall Plan. The nationally competitive program funds up to three years of study at top U.K. universities and has supported leaders such as Supreme Court justices, Nobel laureates, and Pulitzer Prize winners. Marshall Scholars are selected for their academic excellence, leadership potential, and commitment to making a global impact.
