Press Releases

March 30, 2021

Announcing the 2021 Jeannette K. Watson Fellows

FIFTEEN NYC COLLEGE STUDENTS NAMED WATSON FELLOWS

Three year program provides unprecedented opportunities to student leaders

NEW YORK, NEW YORK (March 30, 2021) -- Today the Watson Foundation announced the selection of its 22nd Class of Jeannette K. Watson Fellows. The fellowship program provides student leaders 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 fully-funded summer experiences with 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 new class of Watson Fellows represents the diversity, openness and character of America's most inspiring student leaders. We look forward to introducing them to the Watson Community and supporting their personal, professional and cultural growth,” said Chris Kasabach, Watson Foundation, Executive Director.

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 program 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, arts and sciences. 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 Watson works with students to develop personal, professional and cultural opportunities that build their perspective and confidence to be more humane and effective leaders with a world view.

2021 Jeannette K. Watson Fellows (Class of 2023)

Lexcy Alexis, Brooklyn College

Nija Daniels, The City College of New York

Gab DeCastro, Pace University

Bricen Fisher, Baruch College

Klaire Geller, Hunter College

Jonathan Gerweck, Pace University

Aisatou Ishimori, Marymount Manhattan College

Keren Landrón, St. John's University

Madeline Liu, Queens College

Jasmine Josefina Mayor, Hunter College

Xonhane Medina, LIU Brooklyn

Joie Ning, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Kimberly Pereyra Monero, The City College of New York

Katherine Sanchez, Queens College

Bruno Santos Rodrigues, Baruch College

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

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Learn more about the fellows here.

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