Aundrene Cameron has been named Jamaica’s Rhodes Scholar for 2025, marking another milestone in her remarkable journey of academic and personal achievement.
The announcement was made by King’s House following an intensive day of interviews with ten finalists, all vying for the prestigious scholarship. Cameron, a first-class honours graduate of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, earned her degree in Law and is currently pursuing her Legal Education Certificate at the Norman Manley Law School.
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A past student of Ardenne High School and Campion College, Cameron’s impressive résumé includes being the 2024 Governor General Achievement Award recipient and a former Miss Jamaica Festival Queen. Known for her unwavering commitment to excellence, she intends to pursue postgraduate studies in Criminology and Criminal Studies at the University of Oxford.
Cameron’s academic and leadership journey has been defined by a dedication to making a positive impact. As Valedictorian of UWI’s Class of 2023, she delivered an inspiring address that reflected her prep school’s motto: “Only Your Best Is Good Enough.”
“You can achieve anything you set your mind to,” she said during her address. “I didn’t know I would win [Miss Jamaica Festival Queen], but I tried. Don’t let the fear of failure hinder you from pursuing your dreams.”
The Rhodes Scholarship, established in 1902, is the world’s oldest and most prestigious international scholarship program. It provides fully funded postgraduate opportunities at the University of Oxford and fosters a global community of scholars committed to addressing humanity’s greatest challenges.
Rhodes Scholars are selected through a rigorous process that assesses academic excellence, character, leadership, and a commitment to creating positive change. This year’s selection committee, chaired by Professor Gordon Shirley, included distinguished members such as Dr. Nadiyah Figueroa, Professor Trevor Munroe, and Mariame McIntosh Robinson.
In a statement, the Rhodes Trust emphasized the significance of the scholarship:
“The Rhodes selection process aims to choose young people with proven academic excellence who also show exceptional character, leadership, the energy to use their talents to the full, and a commitment to solving humanity’s challenges.”
As Jamaica’s Rhodes Scholar for 2025, Cameron will join an elite cohort of scholars from around the world in October 2025. She views this opportunity as a stepping stone to creating impactful change in her home country and beyond.
Her selection committee expressed confidence in the candidates’ potential to influence Jamaica’s future positively, highlighting Cameron’s drive and commitment to excellence as a beacon of hope.
Aundrene Cameron’s journey to Oxford stands as an inspiring testament to the power of perseverance, passion, and purpose, reminding all Jamaicans that the sky is truly the limit.
