Noa Offman (C’25), a passionate advocate for criminal justice reform, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Rhodes Scholarship, recognized as the oldest and most competitive international scholarship available. This outstanding achievement propels her into an esteemed group of individuals dedicated to making a significant difference in society.
Offman is among only 32 recipients of the Rhodes Scholarship in the United States this year. Her accomplishment adds to a long legacy, as she joins the ranks of over 30 other Georgetown students and alumni who have successfully received this honour. This includes last year’s three notable recipients: Thomas Batterman (C’22), Asma Shakeel (SFS’24), and Zhicheng (Charlie) Wang (SFS’22).
The Rhodes Scholarship is esteemed for selecting exceptional young individuals from across the globe who exhibit integrity, leadership, character, intellect, and a steadfast commitment to service. Awardees are given the opportunity to further their education at the prestigious University of Oxford.
“We are immensely proud of Noa Offman’s accomplishments, both academically and in her service to others,” remarked Provost Robert M. Groves. “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Noa for her remarkable achievement. She has stood out as an instrumental leader on and off campus, demonstrating unwavering resolve, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to fighting for justice. We are confident that she will continue to create a positive impact in our world.”
At the University of Oxford, Offman intends to pursue her master’s degree in criminology and socio-legal studies, with the ultimate aspiration of returning to the United States to actively promote prison reform. Her vision is focused on creating a more humane and just system.
A Chance Meeting
Offman’s transformative journey toward advocating for criminal justice reform was significantly influenced by a chance meeting with Colie “Shaka” Long, a program associate in Georgetown’s Prisons and Justice Initiative. Long, who had been sentenced to life in prison at just 18, served 26 years before being granted release in 2022 under Washington, DC’s Second Look Amendment Act.
In 2021, Long spoke to Offman’s first-year theology course, The Problem of God, while still incarcerated. Following that impactful class, Long became, as Offman describes him, an “unofficial mentor,” providing her with invaluable reading recommendations and personal insights into the complexities of America’s criminal justice system.
“Talking to Shaka shook me to my core. His story tore away the blindfold of willful ignorance, laying bare the horrors of the ‘inside,’” expressed Offman. “The more I looked, the more I could not unsee the injustices that exist.”
After her enlightening conversations with Long, Offman changed her major from global health to justice and peace, specifically within the College of Arts & Sciences. Since then, she has dedicated her time, both in and out of the classroom, to the crucial work of advocating for prison reform.
Restorative Justice
On Georgetown’s campus, she took the initiative to help establish the Georgetown Restorative Initiative, a task force within the university’s Division of Student Affairs dedicated to advancing principles of restorative justice and facilitating community healing for both students and faculty. In this pivotal role, Offman collaborated with university administrators to design and implement innovative restorative programming, contributed to revising the Student Code of Conduct, and spearheaded trainings aimed at crucial senior administrators.
“Noa’s active participation and creative ideas in germinating restorative response options led her to be selected as the inaugural restorative justice student coordinator in the Office of Student Conduct,” stated Erika Cohen Derr, associate vice president for student affairs. “Noa far exceeded expectations for even the best student clerical assistant. She helped grow the Restorative Georgetown collective from a small group of mostly administrators to more than 50 people — students, faculty, and staff — through proactive outreach and collaborative invitations.”
In October, Offman played an instrumental role in creating and promoting the Restorative Open House, an event hosted on campus where members of the Georgetown community were invited to gather and explore the potential for building friendships that could withstand the strains of political differences, fostering a more inclusive environment.
“Noa approaches these conversations and her relationships with principled empathy and kindness, demonstrating an openness to learning and understanding, and embodying a vision for a more peaceful world that begins at the individual level of human relationships,” remarked Cohen Derr.
Off campus, Offman has accrued valuable experience through internships with two law firms and the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs. At this civil rights organization, she worked tirelessly with hundreds of incarcerated individuals, gathering vital testimony for litigation and relentlessly advocating for the rights of those behind bars.
“Despite the overwhelming challenges she faces in her work on prison reform, Noa remains deeply optimistic — a quality that informs both her leadership and her commitment to change,” acknowledged Lauren Tuckley, director of the Center for Research & Fellowships. “Her ability to maintain hope is rooted in her deep belief that progress, though incremental, is worth fighting for.”
Offman hopes to leverage the insights and experiences gained from her Rhodes Scholarship to forge a better and more effective prison system within the United States. “I refuse to remain complicit in a system that thrives on hidden suffering,” she emphasized. “Instead, I seek to help rewrite the terms of our social contract — dismantling the cruelty of our carceral state and bringing the buried truth of the ‘inside’ into the light where it can no longer be ignored.”
How does Noa Offman plan to utilize her education at Oxford to impact the future of criminal justice systems in the United States?
**Interview with Noa Offman: 2025 Rhodes Scholar and Advocate for Criminal Justice Reform**
**Editor:** Congratulations on being awarded the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship, Noa! It’s a remarkable achievement. How did you feel when you received the news?
**Noa Offman:** Thank you so much! I was over the moon. It’s such a tremendous honor, not just for me but also for my family and everyone who has supported me along the way. Knowing that I’ll have the opportunity to further my education at Oxford and continue my work in criminal justice reform is truly exhilarating.
**Editor:** Your journey into advocacy for criminal justice reform began in an unexpected way, didn’t it? Can you share a bit about that chance meeting with Colie “Shaka” Long?
**Noa Offman:** Absolutely. Meeting Shaka was a turning point for me. In my first year at Georgetown, I had the privilege of attending a class where he spoke while still incarcerated. His story was so powerful; it really opened my eyes to the systemic injustices within our criminal justice system. It inspired me to change my major and dedicate my life to this cause.
**Editor:** That’s an incredible transformation. You’ve also been very active on campus with initiatives like the Georgetown Restorative Initiative. Can you explain what that entails?
**Noa Offman:** The Georgetown Restorative Initiative aims to promote restorative justice principles within our community. We focus on healing and accountability rather than punishment. I had the opportunity to collaborate with administrators and faculty to create programs that help address conflicts and support community healing. It’s been amazing to see how many people want to get involved and push for positive change.
**Editor:** Your passion clearly shines through in your work. Looking ahead to your time at Oxford, what do you hope to achieve in your studies there, especially in criminology and socio-legal studies?
**Noa Offman:** My goal is to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding criminal justice systems, particularly prison reform. I want to equip myself with the knowledge and skills needed to advocate for a more humane and just system in the United States. Ultimately, I hope to return and make a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by these issues.
**Editor:** It sounds like you’ve got a clear vision for your future. Before we wrap up, what message would you like to share with others who are passionate about creating change in society?
**Noa Offman:** I would encourage everyone to stay engaged and informed about the issues that matter to them. Change often starts with a single conversation or a moment of connection—just like mine with Shaka. By listening, learning, and working together, we can foster understanding and compassion in our communities. Everyone has the power to make a difference.
**Editor:** Thank you, Noa. It’s inspiring to hear about your journey and dedication. Best of luck on your upcoming adventure at Oxford and your continued work in criminal justice reform!
**Noa Offman:** Thank you! I appreciate the opportunity to share my story.
