Ole Miss Senior Joins Elite Ranks With Marshall Scholarship Win

Established in 1953 to show appreciation for the United States' assistance following World War II, the Marshall Scholarship funds two years of graduate study at a British university of the scholar's choosing.

Toner becomes the fifth Ole Miss student to receive the distinguished scholarship. The international studies major from Pass Christian has an opportunity to foster her interests in boats, sailing, pirates and everything in between.

"I will pursue a master's in maritime policy and shipping management at Cardiff University, followed by a master's in international security at Bristol University," Toner said. "I hope to first understand the fundamentals of the global maritime shipping system, then apply that understanding to security analysis."

In our globalized society, people, products and ideas are constantly moving everywhere, especially among waterways, she said. Addressing supply chain security, seafarer safety and environmental concerns, such as overfishing and oil spills, are her utmost concerns.

Vivian Ibrahim, director of the university's Office of National Scholarship Advisement, said Toner is one of the most intellectually adventurous students she has encountered.

"She moves seamlessly from learning Mandarin in Taiwan to researching Arctic shipping and security in Norway, and as a Marshall Scholar, she will bring that blend of linguistic ability, strategic insight and ethical seriousness to questions of maritime security that matter for the Gulf Coast, the United States and the wider world," Ibrahim said.

"Through ONSA, we ask students to imagine themselves on a global stage, and Sophia has done exactly that. By joining UM Marshall Scholars Jilkiah Bryant (2024) and Christian Boudreaux (2025), she underscores that the University of Mississippi is no longer an outlier in these competitions; we are building a sustained pipeline of students whose scholarship and service resonate far beyond our campus."

Toner, also a member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, is proficient in Mandarin Chinese and Russian and is studying and working in Taipei, Taiwan, as part of her capstone year.

Accordingly, her interview for the scholarship was scheduled at midnight in Taipei to compensate for the time difference with the United States.

"I was asked 18 questions in 20 minutes about a range of topics within my research focus," she said. "I was asked about maritime law, Arctic governance and indigenous communities, international cooperation and how I would improve policies and governance in certain areas."

As a Marshall Scholar she joins a cohort of other scholars studying in Britain.

"I'm really excited about meeting the other Marshall scholars and learning about their studies and interests," the Stamps Impact Prize winner said. "It's also a great way to engage in and promote international exchange of governance and ideas."

During her undergraduate years, she has studied abroad extensively in Taiwan and in Beijing and throughout the Balkans.

"Studying abroad reinforced my belief that the pursuit of knowledge must be interdisciplinary and international," she said.

Toner is also looking forward to exploring Wales and dipping her toes back into the sailing culture.

"I haven't sailed much since leaving the (Mississippi) coast, so it will be so cool to pick that up again," she said. "The U.K. also has a very long history of seafaring and having that history color my studies will be so interesting."

After her studies, she would ultimately like to be involved with maritime security think tanks, writing policy and contributing to international maritime governance.

"I would love to work with the International Maritime Organization and the United Nations and really be in the know in the world of maritime activity," Toner said.

It's not quite like setting sail in a romanticized pirate adventure, but it promises to be fulfilling, she said.

"It may not be immediately obvious, but what happens at sea affects people on land all the time, and that's what makes this field of study so appealing to me," Toner said.

Top: Ole Miss senior Sophia Toner, of Pass Christian, has been named as a 2026 Marshall Scholar. The international studies major is the university's fifth student selected for the prestigious international scholarship. Submitted photo