Eighteen emerging leaders from the University of Chicago have been selected to the latest cohort of the Obama Foundation Scholars program, it was announced on Sept. 5.
The University of Chicago Obama Foundation Scholars Program will include students from the Booth School of Business, the Harris School of Public Policy and the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice. The unique program’s curriculum will allow scholars to explore the connection between local involvement and global impact, paving the way for innovative solutions to complex challenges. Ten of the 18 UChicago scholars in the program are committed to continuing their work in Chicago, including in the communities near the future Obama Presidential Center, after completing the program.
“The University of Chicago Obama Foundation Scholars Program fosters intense learning experiences for students as they learn to tackle complex problems and more deeply engage with communities in Chicago and across the globe,” said University of Chicago President Paul Alivisatos. “It helps these rising leaders build upon the education and skills they receive in their respective graduate programs at the University to make an impact in the areas they identify in order to be of service to communities across the world.”
The Obama Foundation Scholars program provides scholars with exposure to real-world skills, tools and experiences that will expand the impact of their work when they return home. Scholars participate in academic, skills-based and experiential learning, as well as Foundation-led leadership programming that includes training, networking opportunities and personalized support beyond graduation.
“We’re thrilled to welcome another group of exceptional changemakers into the Obama Foundation family,” said Obama Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett. “These scholars bring with them a wealth of talent, passion, and a deep commitment to making a difference in their communities and beyond. By joining our global network of leaders, they will not only gain valuable insights and support but also contribute to a collective effort to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges. We are confident that, together, they will maximize their potential and make their local impact global.”
Since its inception in 2018, the Obama Foundation Scholars program has supported 161 leaders from 67 countries. This year’s cohort includes 30 leaders from UChicago and Columbia University, who are working to make an impact, both here and abroad—from increasing access to health care in Chicago to mobilizing youth in Pakistan. They were chosen from a record number of applicants from across the world; this year’s group includes scholars from Haiti, Italy, Fiji, Malaysia and Morocco.
Generous support for the University of Chicago Obama Foundation Scholars Program is being provided by BMO Harris Bank; Robert and Jane Clark; The Clayco Foundation; The Crown Family; The Harris Family Foundation; Rachel DeYoung Kohler and Mark S. Hoplamazian; The Judy and Peter Blum Kovler Foundation; Charles Ashby Lewis and Penny Bender Sebring; The Lewis-Sebring Family Foundation; The Neubauer Family Foundation; and Susan Rustandy and Tandean Rustandy.
To learn more about the program, please visit obama.org/programs/scholars. Read more about this year’s University of Chicago Obama Foundation Scholars below:
Booth School of Business
Aishat Agboola — United States & Nigeria
Assistant director, Immigrant Integration Program
Fostering resilience and self-sufficiency for immigrant communities through educational and career advancement opportunities.
Jason Coleman — Chicago
Executive director, Project SYNCERE
Building a diverse pipeline of STEM talent poised to create transformative innovations.
Scot Davies — Washington, D.C.
Executive secretariat, U.S. Department of Commerce
Creating the tools and processes to execute the Commerce Department’s Internet for All efforts to connect Americans and close the digital divide.
Bernice Man — Chicago, IL
Clinical pharmacy manager, specialty pharmacy, University of Chicago Medicine
Improving specialty medication access and affordability locally by helping patients navigate the health care system and systemically influencing health care policy.
Nicolas Marlton — Chicago
Co-founder and head of data science, Brocade Studio
Applying emerging practices in artificial intelligence and machine learning to support and improve the delivery of social services in the United States.
Harriet Spears — Chicago
Founder and chair, Trust Chicago
Democratizing philanthropy for young people to accelerate social justice giving in Chicago.
Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice
Gabrielle Bennett — Chicago
Women’s volleyball coach, Elite Volleyball Program, Illinois Institute of Technology and Michio Chicago Volleyball Academy
Increasing college access and opportunity for young women through volleyball.
Dan Crotty — Chicago
Counseling intern, Chicago Therapy and Wellness
Working to increase access to private and public mental health care along with other basic needs to marginalized communities in the South and West Sides of Chicago.
Nikki Gillani — Chicago
School partnerships manager, Afterschool for Children and Teens Now (ACT Now) Coalition
Ensuring access to high-quality, affordable out-of-school care for youth across Illinois.
Shoshana Holt-Auslander — Chicago
Former associate center director, Twin Cities Center, Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes
Empowering neurodiverse youth through peer-mentoring programs that foster metacognition, self-advocacy, positive identity, and self-awareness.
Valencia Pringle — Chicago
Executive director, Family Cares (AFC) Mission
Providing essential youth and family services to prepare young people to emerge as influential change agents in their communities.
Nathaniel Viets-VanLear — Chicago
Director of engagement and outreach, My Block, My Hood, My City
Engaging with social sector partners to foster sustainable relationships that bridge the gap between those who want to give and those who need support.
Harris School of Public Policy
Attaullah Abbasi — Pakistan
Co-founder and president, The Jiddat Initiative
Dismantling barriers to education for girls in rural Pakistan through direct service programs and opportunity awareness to build a brighter, self-reliant future.
Judith Nguli — Kenya
Co-founder and director, 254 Youth Policy Cafe
Elevating youth voices in public policy through dialogue facilitation, capacity building and advocacy.
Devyanshi Dubey — India
Former public sector consultant, state governments of India
Eliminating violence against women through targeted interventions to enhance financial independence and personal autonomy.
Ximena Valenzuela Cabrera — Peru
Founder, Wista Peru
Advancing women’s inclusion in the maritime, port, foreign trade, and logistics industries through education and skill-building initiatives.
Mariam Raheem — Pakistan
Co-founder, Baad-e-Sabaa Pakistan
Mobilizing young leaders to promote climate literacy through tech-based solutions to empower, educate and uplift communities in underserved regions.
Ralph Valiere — Haiti
Youth organizer and economist
Mobilizing youth toward effective civic participation and strategic decision-making to pave a better future for Haiti.
—Sam Marsden
