Recent NTC Graduate Is Paris-Bound With a Lafayette Fellowship
Zachary Hom, an earth and environment science and computer science major, is headed to the Université Paris Saclay after receiving a Lafayette Fellowship. Hom, who is also minoring in electrical engineering and has earned a certificate in geographic information systems, is originally from San Diego, California, where their interest in the environment began. “What started as a deep appreciation and love for nature as an Eagle Scout evolved into a greater sense of purpose to combat climate change and the energy crisis on an international level.”
The brand-new Lafayette Fellowship funds up to 30 American students each year to pursue a one-year master's degree in France. Open to both French- and non-French-speaking candidates, it offers programs across a wide range of fields in either language. In addition to their studies, fellows take part in a leadership program featuring lectures, mentorship and cultural immersion. The goal is to strengthen U.S.-France ties and prepare future leaders to tackle major global challenges like sustainability, health, technology and social equity.
Hom was inspired to apply for the fellowship after falling in love with Paris while studying abroad. “I began searching for graduate programs abroad related to my interests in energy engineering. I found a program at the Université Paris Saclay designed specifically for international students that piqued my interest, and I decided to pursue this award to fund this dream, which will help me to develop as a future leader in the international energy industry and policy.”
The fellowship application process helped Hom develop a compelling narrative that wove together their interests, academic journey and future aspirations into an award-winning submission. “I think the Lafayette jurors valued that my interests came from a personal place, but I think my unique academic trajectory (earth science to computer science to electrical engineering) and demonstration of how these components fit together to fulfill my goals are what set me apart from more generic applications,” said Hom. “One unique element of the written application was a two-minute video where we talked about our motivations for applying. I filmed my video on the cliffs of the beach I grew up next to and talked about how it was the first place I really saw the effects of climate change in action and how that has guided my academic trajectory.”
Hom will be studying electrical engineering at the Université Paris Saclay. They hope to use their experiences at Tulane and through the Lafayette Fellowship to effect meaningful change. “I feel a responsibility to our Earth and future generations to fight climate change,” said Hom. “I want to work on the acceleration of the clean energy transition through innovation and international collaboration, either through industry or policy leadership.”
