Ann Arbor Times

A University of Michigan student has been recognized for contributions to immigration reform and LGBTQ+ rights. Shuyan Tang has been awarded the 2025 Truman Scholarship, an honor for students pursuing careers in public service. Tang is U-M’s 31st recipient of the Truman Scholarship, which selected 54 students this year from 49 U.S. educational institutions. His journey as a former asylum seeker has guided his work in legislative and electoral politics.

"I know the U.S. immigration system is broken because I lived it," said Tang, who is studying political science at the university’s College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. "Still, I believe in our nation’s capacity for compassion and fairness."

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation administers the award, offering $30,000 for graduate studies, leadership training, career counseling, and internship opportunities within the federal government. The foundation has named 3,618 Truman Scholars since the awards began in 1977.

"This scholarship process taught me that even in challenging times for public service, if you believe in your cause and yourself, you can still succeed," Tang noted, expecting the award will aid his legal education and connect him with a community of service-minded leaders.

Tang’s early life in a rural Chinese household was challenging, including domestic violence, homophobia, and poverty. He was a first-generation college student in Beijing where he advocated for LGBTQ+ rights.

In the U.S., Tang's career in public service grew from experiencing the immigration process to becoming a U.S. citizen. He interned with U.S. Representatives Mark Takano and Katherine Clark, addressing immigration concerns and shaping policy discussions. He also led a successful school board campaign at U-M and founded Students Against Domestic Abuse, a student organization addressing domestic violence.

"I built and led an 8-member executive team, organized a campuswide panel event and established peer support groups for student survivors," he reflected. Tang aims to pursue a law degree using the Truman award to influence national immigration policy further.

"The possibility of waiting years for an asylum decision showed me how broken the system is," he said, highlighting the need for legal authority and leadership in driving change.

Tang plans to graduate from U-M in 2026 and work with the Senate Judiciary Committee on asylum policy and immigrant rights advocacy.

"Having been granted citizenship, I am committed to defending it for others," he declared.