Mikhaylov is UF's Third Marshall Scholar

January 28, 2026
"My parents are my first and main inspiration for any form of excellence."

 
_{Mikhail Mikhaylov wears a blue suit and looks at the camera.}

The Office of Undergraduate Education and Student Success and the Office of Prestigious Awards congratulate Mikhail Mikhaylov, who was named a 2026 Marshall Scholar. Mikhaylov is the third University of Florida student to achieve this in the institution's history. 

Every year, up to fifty Scholars are selected for the Marshall Scholarship. The award supports young Americans in obtaining a graduate degree from a United Kingdom institution in any field of study. Becoming a Marshall Scholar is a highly competitive process, with university fees, living expenses, and more fully covered.

Mikhail Mikhaylov is a recent UF grad who double-majored in International Studies and Political Science, with minors in Economics, Public Health, and Russian. With a dream of becoming a future diplomat, Mikhail Mikhaylov specializes in international conflict mediation. His future goals include repairing relations between the Russian and Ukrainian communities and working toward a realistic model of universal healthcare in the United States. During his time as a UF student, Mikhaylov co-created the Ukraine Rebuilding Initiative (URI) to unite students around helping Ukraine heal during the war. He also represented UF and the United States abroad as a Boren Scholar in Latvia.

As a UF graduate, a winner of multiple prestigious awards, and founder of the nonprofit Off the Battlefield Foundation, Mikhaylov is ambitious. What inspires this drive for excellence? "My parents are my first and main inspiration for any form of excellence," Mikhaylov says. "My parents came here from Russia, seeking to better our lives. Watching my parents rebuild their lives with patience and dignity taught me what perseverance means and instilled in me both the grit to keep moving forward and the love of learning that continues to guide my academic and personal growth."

The application process for prestigious awards is a challenging experience, but most students come out on the other side – win or lose – with appreciation. After the Marshall Scholarship application, Mikhaylov gained a great sense of humility. "Meeting people who may soon lead breakthroughs in science, diplomacy, and global development reminded me how fortunate I was to learn alongside them," he said.

Mikhaylov didn't go through the rigorous process alone. By his side, coaching him through the whole thing, was Dr. Samesha Barnes Ivey, Director of the Office of Prestigious Awards (OPA). In an email to Dr. Barnes Ivey, Mikhaylov wrote, "Being named a Marshall Scholar is as much a reflection of your mentorship as it is a personal honor for me. You have been an exceptional mentor and supervisor for these past couple of months, and I am deeply grateful for the confidence you placed in me throughout this short but long journey."

Interested in applying for the Marshall Scholarship or another award? Contact OPA. Their office promotes scholarly distinction and academic achievement of UF students and alumni by supporting their applications to nationally competitive awards, scholarships, and fellowships. OPA recently launched Canvas courses that provide information on application components, deadlines, and other resources for some of the most popular opportunities. Submit the Prestigious Awards Canvas Course Interest Form to sign up.

Written by Braden Blue with edits by Dr. Samesha Barnes.