A FORMER student of Haslemere Prep School and Churchers College, Petersfield, is destined for great things after receiving a Fulbright scholarship award.

Haslemere resident Steve O’Neil is heading stateside, following his award to study for a global masters in public administration, aimed at future policy leaders, at the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, in New York.

Created in 1948, the Fulbright Commission aims to foster mutual cultural understanding through educational exchange between the UK and USA.

Within the global Fulbright Programme, 28 alumni have served as a head of state or government.

The award is open to individuals that have experience of government and policy making, and Mr O’Neil worked for the Civil Service and in Parliament in the run-up to the 2015 General Election.

A keen supporter of social enterprise, he also volunteers with the London-based charity UnLtd as a mentor for social entrepreneurs, and has written articles on current affairs.

“I am looking forward to meeting and learning from the wide network of policy makers in New York,” he said. “I’m excited to be in the US for the presidential election in November.”