4 Pitt students awarded first Voyager scholarships

Four juniors from the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences are among the first recipients of the Obama-Chesky Fellowship for Public Service, also known as the Voyager Scholarship.

The initiative, created by the Obama Foundation and backed by Airbnb co-founder Brian Chesky is offering students who want to pursue a career in public service up to $50,000 in financial aid upon graduation from college and a $10,000 stipend for a “summer trip” to be exposed to new communities and gain experience in their field. The University of Pittsburgh is tied with Howard University for the fourth most Voyager Scholars of any college in the nation and the most of any school in Pennsylvania.

Pitt students Yali Beit-Arie, Braydan Issermoyer, Kiera Ledermann and Sydney Wilhelmy will have the opportunity to design their own summer trips, which are work-trip experiences. In addition to having their summer trip funded by the scholarship, the first 100 scholarship recipients will receive financial aid for their junior and senior years of college and post-graduation benefits such as a 10-year travel stipend and access to the Obama Foundation’s speaker network as they embark on their service-oriented careers.

“I’m thrilled – and not at all surprised – that four of our outstanding undergraduate students have been chosen as part of the inaugural cohort of Voyager Scholars,” said Kathleen Blee, Dean of Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. “Today more than ever, our students come to Dietrich School with an understanding and commitment to public service. They join our University community with front-line experience working and advocating for causes and organizations that matter to them. And once here, they pursue diverse, often multidisciplinary, academic paths that prepare them to continue contributing to our increasingly complex world. I congratulate Yali, Braydan, Kiera and Sydney on this incredible honor and wish them well on their future travels.

Beit-Arie, Issermoyer and Wilhelmy are dual enrolled at the University David C. Frederick Honors College.

“The Obama Voyagers program seeks to identify students who are leaders, who are creative, collaborative and can work with others around the world to solve the biggest problems facing humanity,” said Nicola Foote, Dean from Frederick Honors College. “It is a tremendous reflection on Pitt and Frederick Honors that we have four students among the initial cohort – more than almost any other public university. Each of the Pitt Obama Scholars is dedicated to justice and equity and will work on themes pressing issues including immigration reform and migrant experiences, suffrage, and urban sustainability. I am so proud of our winners and grateful for the work of the Frederick Honors College Scholars Mentors who have supported our students throughout of their application process.

Lesha Greene, Director of National Scholarships and Post-Graduation Success, praised the recipients’ commitment to the public good, one of the principles of Frederick Honors College.

“This honor reflects the potential of Frederick Honors and Pitt students to be agents of change and leave a better world behind,” said Greene. “It’s an incredible accomplishment to be part of this inaugural class, and I can’t wait to see what they all do in the future.”

Help is available to apply for national scholarships

Frederick Honors College academic mentors sit on scholarship review panels and have expert insights into what makes a strong candidate — and Pitt students don’t have to be honors students to work with a academic mentor.

These experts provide advice and feedback on application essays, mentor students in mock interviews, and help students prepare their recommenders to produce stronger reference letters.

All Pitt undergraduate and graduate studentsDentists are encouraged to schedule appointments with Frederick Honors College mentors. Contact Lesha Greene at leg78 [at] pitt.edu at learn more about upcoming academic and research scholarship opportunities.

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