About Us
March 15, 2024
Announcing the 56th Class of Thomas J. Watson Fellows
New York, New York (March 15th, 2024) – Continuing its tradition of expanding the vision and developing the potential of remarkable young leaders, today the Watson Foundation announced its 56th Class of Thomas J. Watson Fellows. The Watson provides a year of unparalleled international discovery to exceptional graduating college seniors from any discipline. This year’s class comes from 17 states and 3 countries and exhibits a broad range of academic specialties, socio-economic backgrounds, and project diversity.
They will travel to 64 countries pursuing topics ranging from community-centered AI to agroforestry; from end-of-life care to interfaith advocacy; from seabird communities to soundscapes.
About the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship
A Watson Year allows fellows to test their aspirations and abilities through a personal project experienced on an international scale. Since the inaugural class was named in 1969, over 3000 Watson Fellows have been selected.
Watson Fellows are nominated by 41 colleges and university partners across the United States. Fellows receive $40,000 for twelve months of travel and college loan assistance as needed. Following the year they join a community of peers who provide a lifetime of support and inspiration.
The Watson community includes inspiring international leaders – artists, CEOs, community organizers, diplomats, Emmy-, Grammy-, MacArthur-, Oscar- and Pulitzer-recipients, entrepreneurs, faculty, healthcare pioneers, journalists, lawyers, politicians, researchers, and committed social advocates.
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 works with students to expand their vision, test and develop their potential, and build the confidence and perspective to be more humane and effective leaders in the world community.
2024 THOMAS J. WATSON FELLOWS
Alexander DelFranco, Amherst College
Annie Barrett, Haverford College
Anusha Karki, Hamilton College
Atquetzali Quiroz, Colorado College
Carlos Yu, Wheaton College
Cate Levy, Wesleyan University
Chloe Vasquez, Macalester College
Darcy Kim, Wellesley College
Dylan Campos, Wesleyan University
Ebe Figueroa, Bowdoin College
Ebyan Abshir, Union College
Emiliana Reinoso, College of the Atlantic
Emma Schwartz, Haverford College
Emma Sullivan, Wellesley College
Ereny Morcos, Bowdoin College
Grace Hill, Scripps College
Joseph Nolan, Ursinus College
Julia Blackmon, Rhodes College
Lauren Seckington, Hendrix College
Leslie Villegas, Connecticut College
Lola Bauer, Berea College
Marcia Williams, Hendrix College
Maya Lamm, Bowdoin College
Maya McCollum, Oberlin College
Nine Reed-Mera, Bard College
Noah Vargas, Berea College
Samara Gordon Wexler, Middlebury College
Samuel Crowley, Union College
Selma Shaban, Swarthmore College
Sira Nassoko, Grinnell College
Slate Hyacinthe, Swarthmore College
Sophie Demaisy, Connecticut College
Tommy Shenoi, Pitzer College
Trinity Eimer, Rice University
Wriley Hodge, College of the Atlantic
Learn more about the fellows and their projects here.