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March 28, 2019
Announcing the 2019 Jeannette K. Watson Fellows
FIFTEEN NYC COLLEGE STUDENTS NAMED 2019 WATSON FELLOWS
Three year program provides unprecedented opportunities to remarkable students
NEW YORK, NEW YORK (March 28, 2019) -- Today the Watson Foundation announced the selection of its 20th Class of Jeannette K. Watson Fellows. The fellowship program provides remarkable undergraduates from 12 New York City colleges with three years of personal, professional and cultural immersions in the United States and abroad.
At the center of the program are funded summer internships at leading organizations in New York City and around the world. Combined with close mentoring, Watson Fellows expand their vision, develop their potential and build the confidence and perspective to do so for others. Fellows go on to attend leading graduate programs, receive national and international scholarships, and become leaders in their fields.
“The Watson process is designed to be engaging and growth-filled for all applicants. We were excited that more students initiated the application in 2019 than any previous year, growing the program's reach and impact.”, said Chris Kasabach, Executive Director of the Watson Foundation. “The new class of Jeannette K. Watson Fellows represents the diversity, creativity, openness, and ambition of New York City’s finest students. We look forward to welcoming fellows to the Watson Community and crafting a three-year experience that develops their unique aspirations.”
About the Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship
Jeannette K. Watson Fellows are chosen through a nomination process from freshman and sophomore students at 12 New York City partner institutions. The fellowship's comprehensive programming includes three summers of internships at leading organizations around the world, a cohort of supportive peers and ongoing mentorship. Nearly 300 Jeannette K. Watson Fellows have been named since the fellowship’s start in 1999.
Watson Fellows are represented in America’s top graduate programs and go on to become leaders in their fields including law, medicine, public policy, business and the arts. They are the recipients of numerous Fulbright, Truman, Coro, Urban Fellow and many other national awards.
About the Watson Foundation
In 1961, the Watson Foundation was created as a charitable trust in the name of Thomas J. Watson Sr, best known for building IBM. Through one-of-a-kind programs, and over 100 global partnerships, the Foundation provides students with personal, professional and cultural opportunities to expand their vision, develop their potential, and build the confidence and perspective do so for others.
2019 Jeannette K. Watson Fellows (Class of 2021)
Nibras Ahmed, Hunter College
Sumana Ali, Lehman College
Jewel Antoine, St. John’s University
Devashish Basnet, Hunter College
Serena Burton, Queens College
Alina Camejo, Baruch College
Jenna Chandu, St. John’s University
Hamida Chumpa, Baruch College
Rene Clever, Lehman College
Clyde Drayton, St. John’s University
Aaron Fernando, John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Raquel Merino, Brooklyn College
Marlyn Paulino, Queens College
Anna Shvetsova, Hunter College
Amanda Zhu, John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Participating Institutions
Baruch College
Brooklyn College
College of Staten Island
Hunter College
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Lehman College
LIU Brooklyn
Marymount Manhattan College
Pace University (Manhattan)
Queens College
St. John’s University
The City College of New York