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Get to know the previous classes of Obama Foundation Scholars—dynamic, collaborative, rising leaders from around the world who came together for a unique one-year academic and leadership experience.
President Obama Hosts Virtual Roundtable with 30 Obama Foundation Scholars
President Obama joined 30 Obama Scholars from the University of Chicago and Columbia University for a conversation about how they are uniquely positioned to drive change in the world as it recovers from COVID-19.
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The inaugural cohort of Obama Scholars graduated from the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago with Master of Arts degrees focused on International Development and Policy.
The inaugural cohort of Obama Scholars graduated from the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago with Master of Arts degrees focused on International Development and Policy.
Members of the Obama Scholars New York and Chicago cohorts celebrated the end of their year-long academic and leadership experience.
Obama Scholar Rumbidzai Chisenga at Columbia University during the Obama scholars graduation ceremony.
Obama Scholar Omezzine Khelifa at Columbia University during the Obama scholars graduation ceremony.
Obama Scholar Hong Hoang at Columbia University during the Obama scholars graduation ceremony.
Members of the Obama Scholars New York and Chicago cohorts have a welcome dinner at Garifuna Flava in Chicago, IL.
Members of the Obama Scholars New York and Chicago cohorts presented the work they accomplished over the last year at the Harris School of Public Policy in Chicago, IL.
Members of the Obama Scholars New York and Chicago cohorts presented work they have done over the last year at the Harris School of Public Policy in Chicago, IL.
Members of the Obama Scholars program participated in a service project as part of the graduation festivities.
About the Scholars Program
University of Chicago
Obama Foundation Scholars at the University of Chicago earned a Master of Arts degree focused on International Development and Policy at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. In addition to classroom studies, the Obama Foundation offered a robust program of leadership development and service activities throughout the academic year to help Scholars gain the real-world skills, tools, and experiences to expand the impact of their work when they return home.
These included leadership development convenings; program experiences in New York and Washington, DC; speaker series with innovators across a variety of sectors; individual and group service projects; mentorship through the Obama Foundation network; potential internship placements; and action plan development for post-program activities.
Meet the University of Chicago Scholars
Columbia University
Obama Foundation Scholars at Columbia University participated in Columbia World Projects, a new initiative in which faculty and researchers from Columbia partner with governments, nonprofits, the private sector, and intergovernmental organizations to create tangible solutions to real-world issues. The inaugural cohort at Columbia University participated in a rigorous, immersive program that brings together academic, skills-based, and experiential learning, designed by Columbia University in consultation with the Obama Foundation. 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 in the city of New York.
