The Scholarship
The Scholars
Lauretta Cisse
Liberia & University of Pretoria, 2025 Lauretta is an ambitious young leader dedicated to reshaping Liberia's image through social media. She holds a bachelor's degree in mass communication from the African Methodist Episcopal University in Monrovia. She uses social media to share inspiring stories to attract investment and employment in her country. Her efforts focus on highlighting tourist destinations, and raising funds for orphanages, schools, and local businesses in Rural Liberia. Having grown up in Liberia, a country that has endured a devastating civil war, she believes that there is much more to her homeland than what is often portrayed online. Despite facing numerous challenges, she has successfully backpacked through 13 counties in Liberia highlighting the country’s people, food, and culture. As a Mandela Rhodes Scholar, she intends to pursue a master's degree in Tourism Management to acquire the knowledge and tools necessary to establish a sustainable tourism company that creates opportunities for young people and contributes to the Liberian Economy. In her free time, Lauretta enjoys food, memes, and adventures.