Leonardo Luna-Duran, a first-generation college student from Neligh, Nebraska, has been selected as a 2026-28 recipient of the Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service. He is a junior political science and management major at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln working toward a certificate in public policy analysis.
Created by former President Barack Obama, former first lady Michelle Obama and Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky, the Voyager Scholarship provides financial support, travel-based learning opportunities and access to a network of mentors and leaders for students pursuing careers in public service. The new cohort includes 100 rising college juniors from across the United States and its territories and is the fifth cohort of Voyager Scholars since the program launched in 2022.
The Voyager Scholarship provides recipients with multiple benefits, including up to $50,000 in financial aid for their junior and senior years of college, with up to $25,000 available each year; a $10,000 stipend and free Airbnb housing for a self-designed Summer Voyage between their junior and senior years; a $20,000 travel benefit after graduation, with $2,000 in Airbnb travel credit each year for 10 years; and the opportunity to attend the Voyager Scholarship Fall Summit focused on community building, leadership development and learning from public service leaders.
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Growing up in a rural community, Luna-Duran developed a passion for education, leadership and service through organizations such as FFA and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. In FCCLA, he served as a state and national officer, experiences that showed him the opportunities education can create and the importance of giving students avenues to learn, lead and succeed. These experiences sparked his interest in how access to high-quality, career-connected learning can help students see a clear path between education and future careers.
For his Summer Voyage, Luna-Duran plans to explore further how education systems prepare students for careers in different communities and countries. He hopes to begin in the northeastern United States, where he will examine approaches to career readiness and explore how regional education policies shape students’ pathways from education to employment. He then plans to travel to Europe and South America to compare education systems and policies to better understand how different approaches influence career preparation and opportunity.
Luna-Duran will bring extensive experience in student leadership and public service to the Summer Voyage. He currently serves as chief of staff for the Association of Students of the University of Nebraska, where he coordinates executive operations, collaborates with campus partners and supports efforts to improve the student experience. Throughout his time in student government, he has worked with students and university leaders on academic policy, student well-being and campus concerns.
“I truly believe that my college experience has prepared me for this extraordinary honor by giving me the skills and experiences necessary to succeed," Luna-Duran said. "I would credit much of that to ASUN for teaching me the importance of listening, paying attention to needs and finding ways to turn concerns into meaningful action. These lessons have shaped the way I approach public service and will guide me throughout this voyage."
Off campus, Luna-Duran has served as a policy and constituency intern in the Nebraska Governor’s Office. In this role, he gained firsthand experience with how state government responds to constituent needs and how public policy can affect communities across the state. Combined with his experiences in student leadership, education and community service, his time in state government strengthened his interest in public service and has prepared him to use the Voyager Scholarship to learn from new communities, perspectives and approaches to service.
After graduation, Luna-Duran plans to attend law school and pursue a career in public policy at the state or national level, with the goal of expanding educational and economic opportunities for students and communities.
The Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships supports students pursuing nationally competitive scholarships and fellowships through advising, application guidance and campus nomination processes. Students and members of the campus community interested in learning more about fellowship opportunities can contact Frankie Antillon, director of undergraduate research and fellowships, at santillon2@unl.edu.
