Chelsea Huddleston of the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha has been named a Brad Henry International Scholar and was selected to participate in an international study and internship at Swanesa University in Wales.

Excellent academic talent, character and leadership have earned Huddleston and four other Oklahoma regional university students the honor of being the first five people designated as Brad Henry International Scholars.

The other scholars selected to participate are Kyle Bolton, Cameron University, Lawton; Philip Kennedy, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond; Desiree Mitchell, Rogers State University, Claremore; and Rachel Whitaker, Northeastern State University, Tahlequah,

Huddleston is currently enrolled at USAO, where she is majoring in psychology. She will serve as a research intern, where she has been assigned to the Conservative Party, one of five parties represented in the assembly. She will assist with developing public policy and legislation for Wales.

The international study program was established by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education in June.

The Brad Henry International Scholars program provides a $10,000 stipend for these students to participate in semester-long study or research programs affiliated with Swansea University. Academic credit for these programs will be awarded by Oklahoma regional universities.

“I think we can all be extremely proud of this group of students,” said Gov. Brad Henry. “Through this program they will learn the importance of succeeding in a global economy. I have no doubt they will represent our state very well during their time in Wales.”

“These students are an exceptional group of young Oklahomans who have distinguished themselves both academically and by their character,” Chancellor Glen D. Johnson said. “These students are working hard to make their educational dreams come true, and we have full confidence they will represent the state and their universities well while they are overseas.”

“We would also like to acknowledge the State Regents for funding this program,” continued Johnson. “Without their support this program would not have happened, and these students would not have been provided this tremendous opportunity.”

Huddleston is currently enrolled at USAO, where she is majoring in psychology. She will serve as a research intern, where she has been assigned to the Conservative Party, one of five parties represented in the assembly. She will assist with developing public policy and legislation for Wales.

Kennedy, a senior at UCO, is a political science major and plans to pursue a graduate education as further preparation for his career goals in politics, public administration or academics. He will join Huddleston as a research intern and will assist with developing public policy and legislation for Wales during his assignment to the Labour Party.

Mitchell is a sociology senior at RSU. In addition to having a Washington Center internship working with Offender Aid and Restoration, She has worked in the RSU Child Development Center and RSU Enrollment Office and currently works as an intern for Congressman Dan Boren. She will participate in the on-campus program at Swansea University.

Bolton is a senior at Cameron and expects to graduate this spring with a bachelor’s in international languages. Earlier this summer he participated in an archaeological dig in Belgium sponsored by Eastern Illinois University. He will participate in the on-campus program at Swansea University, preparing for his intended graduate pursuits of archaeology and cultural studies.

Whitaker is currently enrolled in the American studies graduate program at NSU. She received her bachelor’s in history and sociology in 2006. She has served on the Student Conservation Association at the George Washington Carver National Monument in Missouri and also participated in the National Science Foundation’s Research Experience for Undergraduates at NSU, where she conducted ethnographic fieldwork among the Kiowa Tribe in southwestern Oklahoma. She will participate in the on-campus program at Swansea University.