Emory University senior Asmita Lehther has been named a 2026 Robert T. Jones Jr. Scholar, one of the most prestigious honors at the institution. The Indian American student, who is set to graduate this May, will spend a fully funded year of graduate study at the University of St Andrews in Scotland.
Lehther, a Robert W. Woodruff Scholar, is completing a double major in human health and political science at the private university in Georgia. Her selection for the “Bobby Jones” scholarship, named after the legendary golfer and Emory law alumnus, recognizes her “academic excellence, exemplary character, and integrity,” according to Joanne Brzinski, senior associate dean for Emory College.
For Lehther, the move to Scotland is a natural extension of a collegiate career defined by public health advocacy. During her first year at Emory’s Oxford College, she secured $100,000 in grants to install campus health vending machines, providing students with 24/7 access to essential over-the-counter medications.
“I’ve always seen medicine, well-being and the law as being very connected, especially when it comes to the social determinants of health,” Lehther said.
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An active leader in the South Asian community at Emory, Lehther has also been a vocal advocate for survivor support. As president of the Sexual Assault Peer Advocate (SAPA) group, she spearheaded legislation requiring student government members to undergo bystander intervention training. She intends to bring this focus to St Andrews, where she will pursue a master’s degree in public policy.
Lehther’s journey reflects a deep connection to her Indian heritage through both her academic research and her extracurricular life. Her honors thesis explores how gender assumptions in policy discourse affect public support for survivors of sexual violence, while her previous research has delved into immigration rhetoric and public perception.
Beyond the classroom, Lehther has built a robust professional portfolio through internships with The Carter Center, the Georgia Governor’s Office of Health Strategy, and the U.S. Department of Health’s Mental Health Technology Transfer Center.
The Bobby Jones Scholarship, established in 1976, fosters a permanent exchange between Emory and St Andrews. Lehther is one of only four students selected this year from a highly competitive pool of 36 applicants.
“My hope is that I’ll be able to be not only a more full person, but also a more full advocate,” Lehther said of her upcoming year abroad. “I want to be someone who can speak to anyone, understand more about the world.”
Following her year in Scotland, Lehther plans to pursue a career in global health policy, focusing on health equity and international advocacy for sexual assault survivors.