05/04/2026
The Lou Frey Institute is thrilled to share that we have awarded our Lou Frey Institute Undergraduate Political Science Scholarship to Alexandria Karapondo. Ms. Karapondo is a double major in Political Science and Philosophy, and wrote a fantastic response to the prompt What, in your view, is the meaning of the phrase ‘good citizenship’? How does the study of political science in general and your focus in particular contribute to how you define good citizenship? In your response of 2-4 pages (550-1200 words), be sure to clearly define your meaning and understanding of good citizenship, explain your focus in political science, and how political science as a field contributes to good citizenship and civic life, with relevant citations.
Her closing paragraph was powerful: "Ultimately, good citizenship is an ongoing commitment to action, ethics, and community. It cannot be reduced to legal status alone or even to political participation. Instead, it exists at the intersection of law, political engagement, and moral philosophy. Political science provides the tools to understand and participate in civic life, law defines the structure of rights and responsibilities, and ethics ensures that both are guided by principles of justice. Together, these perspectives show that good citizenship is not just about belonging to a state, but about actively contributing to a more just and responsible society."
She is actively engaged in multiple organizations with a civic passion and focus, and I know that Congressman Lou Frey would be proud of this young woman and her dedication to civic life. She is an example of the excellent students we have coming through the UCF School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs and the UCF College of Sciences.
