OXFORD – The British government has awarded University of Mississippi senior Sophia Toner a prestigious Marshall Scholarship.

Established in 1953 to show appreciation for the United States’ assistance following World War II, the Marshall Scholarship funds two years of graduate study at a British university of the scholar’s choosing.

Toner, an alumna of Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, becomes the fifth Ole Miss student to receive the distinguished scholarship. The international studies major from Pass Christian has an opportunity to foster her interests in boats, sailing, pirates and everything in between.

“I will pursue a master’s in maritime policy and shipping management at Cardiff University, followed by a master’s in international security at Bristol University,” Toner said. “I hope to first understand the fundamentals of the global maritime shipping system, then apply that understanding to security analysis.”

In our globalized society, people, products and ideas are constantly moving everywhere, especially among waterways, she said. Addressing supply chain security, seafarer safety and environmental concerns, such as overfishing and oil spills, are her utmost concerns.

As a Marshall Scholar she joins a cohort of other scholars studying in Britain.

“I’m really excited about meeting the other Marshall scholars and learning about their studies and interests,” the Stamps Impact Prize winner said. “It’s also a great way to engage in and promote international exchange of governance and ideas.”

During her undergraduate years, she has studied abroad extensively in Taiwan and in Beijing and throughout the Balkans.

“Studying abroad reinforced my belief that the pursuit of knowledge must be interdisciplinary and international,” she said.

After her studies, she would ultimately like to be involved with maritime security think tanks, writing policy and contributing to international maritime governance.

“I would love to work with the International Maritime Organization and the United Nations and really be in the know in the world of maritime activity,” Toner said.

It’s not quite like setting sail in a romanticized pirate adventure, but it promises to be fulfilling, she said.

“It may not be immediately obvious, but what happens at sea affects people on land all the time, and that’s what makes this field of study so appealing to me,” Toner said.