Courtesy of Spelman College
Two Spelman College students have been selected as Schwarzman Scholars, one of the world’s most prestigious graduate fellowships. Naomi Aladekoba, C’2023, and Sophia Bax-Wooten, C’2023, were among 151 candidates selected for the 2023-2024 Class of Schwarzman Scholars. The program’s eighth cohort includes participants from 36 countries and 121 universities around the world.
“Applying for prestigious awards, like this one, provides our students with an opportunity to sharpen their ideas about what matters to them,” said Michelle Hite, Ph.D., Spelman College associate professor of English and co-director of the Prestigious International Fellowships program. “We’re grateful that the jury agreed with our impressions of their candidacy, and we’re very happy that Naomi and Sophia will experience the immediacy of the Spelman sisterhood in one another, in China.”
Located in Beijing, China, students have the opportunity to study in a one-year, fully-funded master’s degree program in Global Affairs at Schwarzman College on the campus of Tsinghua University. The program’s core curriculum is focused on three pillars: Leadership, Global Affairs and China. Beyond the classroom, Scholars will gain exceptional exposure to China through internships, mentors and high-profile speakers. Additionally, career development resources are provided to help Scholars lead in various fields upon graduation.
“I am excited by the eighth cohort’s potential,” said Stephen A. Schwarzman, Founding Trustee of Schwarzman Scholars. “As the geopolitical landscape grows more complex each day, I am inspired by this year’s selected Scholars and their readiness to engage thoughtfully with global issues and drive change. We are confident that this inspiring cohort of young leaders will make the most of this unique opportunity.”
