St. John’s Grad Earns Prestigious Rhodes Scholarship, Speaks With KNSI News Before Heading to Oxford

(KNSI) – A St. John’s University graduate is getting ready to continue his studies in England after being named a Rhodes Scholar.

Jervon Sands is only the second Johnnie in the school’s history and the first in more than 50 years to be named a Rhodes Scholar and offered a chance to learn at the University of Oxford.

A native of Nassau in the Bahamas, Sands was selected to represent the Caribbean Commonwealth.

When he learned he had been selected in October, Sands tells KNSI News he was overwhelmed with gratitude. “I was there in that moment, thinking about all of the steps I took. All of the people who helped me along the way. And just being extremely grateful for having had those experiences that led to me being in that room and being a recipient of the Rhodes Scholarship.”

Sands thanked his parents and the SJU community for their encouragement and belief in him. Sands ’23 graduated summa cum laude with a degree in applied physics. He will now study for the Master of Sciences in Environmental Change and Management and a Masters in Sustainability, Enterprise and the Environment in Oxford, beginning in October 2024.

Sands explained why he chose to focus on those studies. “I am a Bahamian, and I come from a small island nation. We are on the frontlines of the climate crisis. I have firsthand experience and knowledge of the impacts of this crisis. And I want future Bahamians to still have our country to call home. I want to be a part of protecting the environment.”

He says many livelihoods on the islands depend on the land and the sea, and trying to safeguard that is important to him.

After his studies, Sands plans to return to Nassau to work within the government and other institutions to help promote education on climate concerns.

He has some advice for other college students hoping to study in England. “I wouldn’t have gotten the Rhodes Scholarship if I hadn’t applied. As simple as that may sound, believing in yourself enough to make that decision to put yourself out there and apply is the first step. Take those opportunities. You miss 100% of the shots that you don’t take.”

The overall global success rate for applicants is 0.7%, making it one of the most competitive scholarships in the world.

There are a total of 101 awards each year to students from countries around the world.

The only previous SJU student to be a Rhodes Scholar was Steven Michaud ’67, who earned the honor in 1969. Although women were not eligible to be Rhodes Scholars until 1977, the College of Saint Benedict also has had two – Rachel Mullin ’14 earned the distinction in 2016, and Laura McGrane ’91 became a Rhodes Scholar in 1992.

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