The Obama Foundation Scholars Program at Columbia University stands as a beacon for emerging leaders committed to addressing challenges within their communities and beyond. This fully-funded 9-month residency provides a unique blend of academic, experiential, and skills-based learning. Let’s delve into the key components that make this program a transformative experience for its participants.
1. **Weekly Seminar and Thought Leadership Speaker Series:**
The program’s backbone lies in a weekly seminar exploring global trends such as inequality, technological developments, and climate change. Additionally, the Thought Leadership Speaker Series introduces scholars to seasoned practitioners, fostering expanded networks and perspectives vital for impactful leadership.
2. **Personal and Professional Development Workshops:**
Scholars benefit from workshops focusing on practical skills like conflict management, public speaking, data analysis, and resilience. These workshops aim to strengthen their abilities to lead effectively in diverse and challenging environments.
3. **Experiential Learning and Audited Coursework:**
Engaging in Columbia World Projects, scholars actively contribute to tackling global challenges. Moreover, the flexibility to enroll in up to two graduate-level courses each semester allows them to deepen their academic knowledge and skills.
4. **Columbia Faculty Advisers and Campus Engagement:**
The partnership with Columbia faculty advisers ensures scholars gain new insights into their work, while meaningful opportunities to engage with the university community expose them to diverse perspectives.
Testimonials:
Columbia University President Emeritus, Lee C. Bollinger, emphasizes the program’s impact, stating, “Witnessing the powerful impact of this program on the remarkable individuals participating as Obama Scholars, and the communities they are dedicated to changing, has left Columbia even more deeply invested in this special endeavor and all that it can accomplish.”
Eligibility and Application:
To be eligible, applicants must be rising leaders committed to service, demonstrate proficiency in English, and have the ability and inclination to positively shape the future of their communities. The application deadline for the 2024-2025 program is December 12, 2023. Applicants need to submit an online application, resume, personal video statement, short essay questions, proof of English proficiency, and two letters of recommendation.
Benefits for Scholars:
Selected scholars receive a monthly stipend, a furnished studio apartment near Columbia University, full tuition and fees for up to four courses, basic medical, dental, and life insurance, and air travel to and from their home country.
Columbia World Projects:
The Scholars Program is housed within Columbia World Projects, an initiative mobilizing the university’s researchers to address global challenges. This major, university-wide initiative focuses on forging a closer connection between Columbia’s research capabilities and the world’s needs. It operates projects with clear objectives and lasting impact, extending beyond the university’s direct involvement.
The Obama Foundation Scholars Program at Columbia University serves as a catalyst for positive change, equipping rising leaders with the skills, knowledge, and networks needed to address pressing global challenges. As applications open for the 2024-2025 program, prospective scholars are invited to embark on a transformative journey towards becoming impactful leaders in their communities and beyond.
