Columbia University Scholars 2021-2022

Obama Foundation Scholars at Columbia University will participate in Columbia World Projects, an initiative that mobilizes the university’s researchers and scholars to work with governments, organizations, businesses, and communities to create tangible solutions to real-world issues. The program will also take advantage of the unique opportunities for engagement that come with being at one of the world’s most important centers of research and residing in New York City.

Scholars participate in an immersive program that brings together academic, skills-based and experiential learning, designed by Columbia University in consultation with the Obama Foundation.

Key components of the program at Columbia University include:

A Weekly Seminar that runs the length of the academic year, exploring questions in tandem with key global trends including inequality, technological developments, the diffusion of power, population movements, and climate change.
Personal and Professional Development Workshops designed to strengthen practical skills to enhance Scholars’ ability to lead. Previous workshop topics, led by institutes and faculty from across Columbia, include conflict management and resolution, design thinking, public speaking, and data analysis and interpretation.
An Experiential Learning component that engages Scholars in the work of Columbia World Projects.
Audited Coursework that provides Scholars with the flexibility to select and enroll in up to two graduate level courses each semester at Columbia.
A Thought Leadership Speaker Series that introduces Scholars to seasoned practitioners from the NGO community, and philanthropic, governmental, and international organizations to expand Scholars’ networks and perspectives to help advance their work.
Partnership with a Columbia faculty adviser selected for their subject matter expertise to provide Scholars with new insights and perspectives to inform Scholars’ work.
Meaningful opportunities for Scholars to contribute to the intellectual life of the campus and gain exposure to different perspectives by engaging with the Columbia University community.

The application for the 2023-2024 Obama Foundation Scholars Program at Columbia University is open until January 19, 2023 at 5:00PM ET. You can learn more about the program and submit an application here (Opens in a new tab).

Cecilia Chapiro

Using technology and innovative financing to enable entrepreneurial ecosystems to grow and progress the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Francesco Tena

Training young people to be leaders in participatory budgeting processes and governmental decision-making across the United States and Canada.

Jean-Noé Landry

Guiding public, private and community stakeholders towards the responsible and collaborative use of data and technology to solve complex social and environmental problems.

Juliana Tafur

Designing and implementing a listening methodology to inspire positive dialogue across differences and foster human connection.

Lineo Matlakala

Using arts, advocacy, and education to promote women’s reproductive health and financial independence in Lesotho.

Melusi Simelane

Advocating for the acceptance and legal rights of the LGBTQ community in Eswatini and building intersectional human rights coalitions to empower young leaders across Southern Africa.

Millicent Barty

Combining traditional oral history practices with innovative infographic design to communicate complex development issues across the Solomon Islands.

Mohammed Keana Sabo

Advocating for the social inclusion and right to education of vulnerable children by promoting sustainable development and accountable governance.

Mohit Raj

Working with incarcerated and justice-involved youth in India to bring systematic and structured change to the Indian prison landscape.

Patience Musiwa Mkandawire

Building inclusive learning opportunities for all children in Malawi by improving educational access and equity for children with special-needs and intellectual disabilities.

Vincent Loka

Working towards a world without prolonged thirst by providing access to clean, affordable water technologies in areas with limited infrastructure across Southeast Asia.