UK Lewis Honors College student named 2026 Key into Public Service Scholar
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 6, 2026) — Trenton Schroering, a junior majoring in political science, was one of 20 students selected from a highly competitive nationwide pool of nearly 800 applicants as a 2026 Key into Public Service Scholar by the Phi Beta Kappa Society.
Schroering is the first UK student to earn the award.
“I view the honor as proof that public service is still valued,” Schroering said. “I've never wanted anything more than to make the world a better place for my peers. I judge myself based on how many days I'm able to improve and how many smiles I'm able to bring to others, and hope that this award increases my capacity to do that. In the meantime, I'm glad I can represent my University of Kentucky community as the first Wildcat to ever achieve this honor.”
Pearl James, Ph.D., Phi Beta Kappa’s Alpha chapter president, had seen Schroering’s contributions to the Lewis Honors College community as Honors College Student Council President, his work organizing food drives and service on the search committee for the next dean.
“But when I learned about all the other service he does and has done in the community, I knew he was a strong candidate for the Key into Public Service Award,” James said. “I hope he's the first of many recipients from UK.”
As Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s premier honor society society, celebrates its milestone 250th anniversary, the Key into Public Service program reflects the society’s longstanding commitment to a love of learning as a guide for life by supporting students who are inspired to turn arts and sciences knowledge into action through careers in public service. Drawing inspiration from notable Phi Beta Kappa members who have shaped the course of the country, the program recognizes exceptional arts and sciences students with a demonstrated interest in pursuing careers in local, state and federal government.
In celebration of their achievements and in honor of Phi Beta Kappa’s 250th anniversary, each 2026 scholar will receive a $7,600 undergraduate scholarship, a tribute to the Society’s founding in 1776. Scholars will also participate in an educational conference in Washington, D.C., offering training, mentorship and opportunities for reflection on pathways to active citizenship.
Alumni of the program have earned prestigious honors, including Barry-Goldwater Fellowships, Fulbright Scholarships, Hertog Foundation Fellowships, Marshall Scholarships, NAACP Marshall-Motley Scholars, Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarships, Rhodes Scholarships and Truman Scholarships.
“An arts and sciences education prepares students not only to understand the world, but also to shape a future where democracy thrives,” said Phi Beta Kappa Secretary and CEO Frederick M. Lawrence. “The 2026 Service Scholars embody that spirit of engagement. They apply their learning to strengthen communities and advance the public good. At a time when thoughtful leadership and civic participation matter deeply, they show what it means to lead with knowledge, curiosity and purpose.”
For more information about the scholarship and to access individual biographies of the recipients, visit www.pbk.org/programs/keyintopublicservice.
To learn more about or getting involved with the UK Phi Beta Kappa chapter, email James, pearl.james@uky.edu.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and healthcare. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $1.02 billion research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.