Saudi Arabian migrant Alsemeiry came to the US in early 2001 having "endured profound economic instability and homelessness during his childhood," the Rhodes Trust wrote in its announcement of this year's winners.
At college, he was recognized by the Jefferson Awards Association and the Yale Alumni Association for "innovative, outstanding, and sustained contributions in service to the greater good."
Alsemeiry has interned at the World Bank, the American Civil Liberties Union, and Human Rights Watch.
At Oxford, he will pursue an master of philosophy in international relations.