PHILADELPHIA -- Joyce Meng, a University of Pennsylvania senior from Vienna, Va., has been awarded the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship.  She plans to pursue master's degrees in economics for development and financial economics at Oxford University.

Meng, who co-founded an innovative bank and business incubator for street youth in Lagos, Nigeria, is in a joint degree program in the School of Arts and Sciences and the Wharton School's Huntsman Program in International Studies.  She is captain of Penn's debate team, plays on the women's hockey team and is a leader of several student organizations.  She is the 19th Rhodes scholar from Penn.

"All of us at Penn are extraordinarily proud of Joyce," Penn President Amy Gutmann said.  "She represents the best and brightest not only at the University of Pennsylvania but from across the U.S.  Joyce is well on her way to accomplishing so much for the benefit of humankind and is truly a shining example of Penn's effort to engage globally."

"Joyce really represents the best of Penn," Penn Provost Ron Daniels said.  "She's a high achiever, she has a wide range of interests and she cares so much about making the world a better place. Her work in Lagos, and in Mexico, has already made a tangible difference in the lives of underprivileged families and children in those countries."

Meng is among 32 college students from across the nation who were selected as Rhodes Scholars.