UNLV alumnus Zachary Billot has made history by becoming the first in the university's history to be awarded a Marshall Scholarship. The 2025 Marshall Scholar, Billot graduated in 2024 with degrees in Political Science and Brookings Public Policy.
The Marshall Scholarship, established in 1953, supports up to three years of graduate study at top universities across the United Kingdom. It is known for its competitiveness, with about 50 students selected annually from over 1,000 applicants who must secure endorsement from their home institutions. In the current cycle, Billot was one of only 36 scholars chosen.
Billot's achievements have been notable throughout his academic career. As an undergraduate at UNLV’s Honors College, he became the first student to win both Truman and Udall scholarships in a single year (2023). Now as a Marshall Scholar, he joins an elite group that includes Supreme Court justices and Nobel laureates.
Born and raised in Las Vegas, Billot has focused his work on wildlife and policy. His experiences include internships with the Fisheries and Wildlife Division in Washington D.C., bird research in Nevada’s Spring Mountains, conflict reduction projects between humans and wildlife in Namibia, and work at the U.S. Department of State on environmental foreign policy.
Reflecting on his journey, Billot shared insights into overcoming personal challenges: “Growing up as a gay, tree-hugging, violin-playing kid from a conservative family, I felt I had to constantly validate my identity.” He added that resilience developed within the LGBTQ+ community helped him persist after initial setbacks with Rhodes and Marshall scholarship applications: “Being named a Marshall Scholar this year is proof that good things happen to those who keep pushing."
Martha Lizabeth Phelps from UNLV praised Billot's courage: "What sets Zach apart is that he’s not afraid of failure...he will take the strengths of UNLV—a smart, scrappy institution—and use them to shine."
With his scholarship funding two master’s programs at the University of Edinburgh—one in environmental protection and management; another focusing on global environment politics—Billot aims to enhance his expertise while advocating for equity.
During his time at UNLV, he initiated Nevada’s first higher-education Climate Action Plan worth $400 million aimed at making it nationally sustainable. He also engaged actively through student government roles promoting youth opportunities via environmental research/community service activities.
UNLV President Keith E Whitfield commended him: “Zach’s character is marked by integrity...his devotion towards addressing climate change will leave an indelible mark.”
Looking forward beyond studies abroad where plans include working internationally within wildlife policy coordination under organizations like International Union Conservation Nature (IUCN), Billots hopes future students can find similar transformative opportunities through such scholarships too saying “As first-gen student Southern Nevada want others have chance life-changing opportunities”.
The Marshall Scholarship honors Secretary State George C Marshall started post-WWII thanking US aid given UK during rebuilding period continues today recognizing academic excellence leadership potential global impact contributions recipients make globally.