Miss USA 2024 Alma Cooper Says Her Mom's Past Food Insecurity Spurs Her Research in the Field (Exclusive)

The newly crowned title Miss USA is researching "food insecurity, health, and nutrition" at Stanford University

Miss USA 2024 says her mom's past food insecurity spurred her research in the field.

On Sunday, Alma Cooper bested 51 other contestants including first-runner-up Miss Kentucky Connor Perry and second-runner-up Miss Oklahoma Danika Christopherson to take the title.

Cooper, 22, is a 2023 graduate of West Point and is currently a Knight-Hennessy Scholar at Stanford University pursuing a master’s in statistics and intends to focus her research on food insecurity — a topic she feels personally connected to.

Related: Miss Michigan Alma Cooper Wins Miss USA 2024 Months After Shocking Resignations

Following her win, Cooper revealed her mother Oralia was previously impacted by food insecurity.

"I know she is not alone in that in this country, one in five children is food insecure. And I want to make a difference," she tells PEOPLE, adding, "That's what truly has propelled me to work in the field of food insecurity, health, and nutrition."

Cooper was born to retired Army major Stacey Cooper, who served 24 years in the military, and mom Oralia, who migrated to the U.S. at 6 and was a migrant farm worker as a child. Oralia completed her Bachelor’s degree from Idaho State University and attended Saginaw Valley State University, where she earned a Master’s in Educational Administration. Oralia now works as a school administrator.

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Cooper added that growing up as a nerd and serving in the U.S. Army, where she became an officer, shaped her life.

She encouraged young girls “to be multi-passionate, to be a math nerd, to be a nerd in the classroom, and then serve your country as an army officer to earn a scholarship,” adding, "If you can see me, you can be me."

Related: Ex-Miss USA and Miss Teen USA, Who Both Resigned, Celebrate New Miss USA Alma Cooper: 'Here for You'

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“My story and my message is that I'm here to serve. And I know that regardless of any circumstances, regardless of tumultuous times, I'm eager to serve and willing to lead as Miss USA 2024," she said of her newly crowned role.

Cooper will next compete in the Miss Universe 2024 contest, which will be held in Mexico this November.

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