Eighteen students selected as 2025-26 University of Chicago Obama Foundation Scholars

Eighteen rising leaders have been named to the 2025–26 cohort of the University of Chicago Obama Foundation Scholars Program. The newest class, announced Sept. 4, includes students from the Booth School of Business, the Harris School of Public Policy, and the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, as well as Columbia University.

The Scholars program equips students with the real-world skills, tools, and experiences needed to strengthen their work in communities locally and globally. Along with coursework, participants engage in Foundation-led leadership programming that provides training, networking opportunities, and personalized support beyond graduation.

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“Students in the University of Chicago Obama Foundation Scholars Program deeply value the ability to test ideas and partner with communities to translate insights from scholarship into impact,” said University of Chicago Provost Katherine Baicker. “By engaging partners across Chicago and beyond, these rising leaders will develop the tools needed to address complex challenges for the benefit of their communities.”

Crown Family School Scholars for 2025–26

• Sonia Garcia — Chicago
  
  Manager of benefits outreach, Greater Chicago Food Depository
  
  Supporting high-need communities by expanding access to food and public benefits through policy, outreach, and systems-level change.

• Levi Jenkins — Chicago
  
  Be Well program specialist, Chicago Public Schools
  
  Empowering educators and leaders through systems that prioritize wellness and support thriving schools.

• Juliann Krupa — Chicago
  
  Academic project manager, The School for Field Studies
  
  Building environmental literacy and leadership through interdisciplinary, place-based education.

• Risolat Makhsimova — Uzbekistan
  
  Project manager, Youth Affairs Agency of Uzbekistan
  
  Empowering youth and transforming education systems through policy innovation and media-driven social change

• Jessica Perez — Washington, D.C.
  
  Manager of partnerships and community impact, Results for America
  
  Bringing community voices into government processes to drive equitable, community-led solutions.

• Julia Wiener — Chicago
  
  Tenant rights organizer
  
  Organizing tenants to build community power and advocate for more affordable housing.

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Since its inception in 2018, the Obama Foundation Scholars program has supported more than 190 leaders from 67 countries. This year’s Scholars bring bold ideas and a deep commitment to equity—working in areas such as education access, civic engagement, climate resilience, housing, and health care.

—Adapted from a story that was first published on the UChicago News website