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The Honors College welcomes Stuart "Stu" McLaughlin to the team as coordinator for national prestigious scholarships. In this role, McLaughlin will work with Auburn students from across the university to identify and apply for nationally competitive opportunities.

Housed within the Honors College, the Office of National Prestigious Scholarships helps students at every stage of the competitive scholarship process, from identifying opportunities to developing competitive applications.

 

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Let's Get to know stu

Name: Stu McLaughlin

Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Degree(s): Russian Language and Literature (BA, Pennsylvania State University); Spanish Language and Literature (BA, Pennsylvania State University); Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies (MA, Stanford University); Central Eurasian Studies (MA, Indiana University Bloomington)

Why did you choose those degrees?

I’d earnestly say these degrees represent my choice to make good on the impact that professional and human interaction with multicultural communities had on me—as a scholar, a professional and a person. Learning a language and gaining literacy in a cultural context is the same as learning about a human being, quite literally because it’s impossible to do without other people, without participation! You learn as much about yourself as you do about the communities you live in, especially through the languages that define our whole worldviews. Researching language as policy and performance of self in global communities reinforced my belief in what international education does for us all, from the “big-picture” global contexts to localized, everyday ones. Plus, I just love learning languages.

 

Person standing on a pathway beneath a series of closely spaced orange torii gates with black Japanese inscriptions. The covered walkway curves into the distance, creating a repeating pattern of gates on both sides of the path.

What brought you to the Honors College?

The Honors College is an invaluable chance for me to give back to resource networks that make all the difference for students. I can guide students in their own journeys, facilitate new ideas for fellowship recruitment and help students show what they’re made of on a national level. What’s not to get excited about?

Do you have any hobbies?

I am a concert addict! I love finding new music and curating playlists to fit all kinds of moods and routines. I look forward to discovering a bit more about the music scene in Alabama. I collect vinyl records, play table tennis, volleyball and am a big hiker.

What are small things that make your day better?

New music—I’ll play a new album into the ground, and only after I get it out of my system, I’ll add its songs to a handful of playlists. That always makes me happy. I’m a sucker for a good travel story and a good cup of coffee with lavender or rose syrup in it.

Movies, TV, or Books—or all three?

I’ll watch any movie of any genre; I pride myself in being an easy viewer. I like trash horror movies; the ones that are “so bad, they’re good.”

You’d be surprised to know that I can …

I’ve studied 12 languages and can speak six fluently.

 

Person seated on a large rock beside a fast-moving mountain river, with rocky peaks, trees and cloudy skies in the background.

What do you hope to accomplish here at the Honors College/Auburn University?

When I was studying for my undergraduate degrees, I couldn’t have imagined in my wildest dreams that I would have an international academic career. I was fortunate enough to have staff and faculty who weren’t afraid to knock on doors and do some digging around on my behalf – it takes one person’s time to change another’s life. After I learned about different fellowships and funding opportunities, I got firsthand experience working each application into my "bigger story." My thinking about fellowship opportunities changed, and it became natural to utilize my story in ways that demonstrated a reach much further across the globe than I would have initially thought possible, taking me throughout Eurasia and East Asia. Piecing together parts of my skills and my “dream-trajectory” in the short space of a few thousand characters felt so intimidating, it still does! I want to continue strengthening foundations for a culture of achievement with every student here. My biggest hope would be to truly imbue students with a sense of belief in their skills and their stories. It’s not just about the admissions decisions; it’s a mindset to nurture and a belief in the process.

What are you most excited about working at the Honors College/Auburn?

I’m thrilled at the chance to work at a school that puts enhancing student career trajectories and resources at the forefront of everything. There’s something to be said about institutions and staff whose care for the student body is readily apparent, and I’m excited to join more student events and fairs to let everyone know that they can always come in and talk about ways to make the absolute most of their journey here at Auburn.

What advice would you give to a student?

There’s no such thing as a crazy idea if you’re willing to put every part of who you are behind it and give it the due passion and diligence that you’d be proud of. There’s a journey waiting to be had with each of you, and it’s only going to happen step-by-step. So take the steps! That’s what we’re here for. Go knock on that professor’s door and ask questions, make an appointment with NPS, submit the application—there’s nothing to be afraid of; there’s your story, and that’s worth every step.

What Auburn tradition are you most looking forward to experiencing?

 I can’t wait to get to a football game—I hope to TP a tree when we get a win! I already got my nieces and nephew some Aubie TP plushies.  

Best way to contact?

 My email: sdm0098@auburn.edu