Columbia World Projects has announced the sixth cohort of Obama Foundation Scholars, emerging leaders from around the world who will study at Columbia University for the 2023-24 academic year. In addition, the University of Chicago and the Obama Foundation have announced the new cohort of University of Chicago Obama Foundation Scholars. 

Launched in 2018, the Obama Foundation Scholars program, which selects 12 emerging leaders at each university, is designed to inspire, empower, and connect emerging leaders with the tools they need to make their efforts more effective and impactful across their global communities. At Columbia, the latest scholars will receive a year-long academic experience including a customized weekly seminar, personal and professional development workshops, audited coursework, a thought-leadership speaker series, and additional programming designed by Columbia World Projects in consultation with the Obama Foundation. The program at the University of Chicago will bring together 18 scholars in a master’s program at its Booth School of Business, Harris School of Public Policy, or Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice. The scholars will supplement their UChicago studies with innovative co-curricular programming, engage with partners on the South Side of Chicago, and apply those experiences in communities in Chicago and across the globe. Nine of the 18 UChicago Scholars are committed to continuing their impact in Chicago, including in communities surrounding the future Obama Presidential Center, once the program concludes. 

This year’s Columbia scholars include Oksana Matiiash, who is driving transformative education initiatives to support children's learning and well-being during the war in Ukraine to strengthen the country’s human capital for post-war rebuilding, and Luis V. Villaherrera, who is creating innovative capacity-building projects and technological tools to combat corruption and foster democracy in El Salvador. The Chicago scholars include Samantha Siers, who is increasing the financial and mental well-being of families of color in Chicago by expanding access to high-quality education, support services, social capital, and direct cash transfers, and Amaral Medeiros, who is helping Brazilians learn and use artificial intelligence to prepare people for the jobs of tomorrow. 

“The Obama Scholars program enables rising changemakers to gain insights into the work of fellow leaders, across issues and geographies, while collaborating to address complex challenges,” said Obama Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett. “We are eager to welcome the new cohort of Scholars to the Foundation family, where they will join a network of changemakers striving for a stronger, more sustainable, and more inclusive world.” 

(Photo credit: Getty Images/visual space)