About Us
March 14, 2025
Announcing the 57th Class of Thomas J. Watson Fellows
New York, New York (March 14th, 2025) – Continuing its tradition of expanding the vision and developing the potential of remarkable young leaders, today the Watson Foundation announced its 57th Class of Thomas J. Watson Fellows. The Watson provides a year of unparalleled discovery to remarkable graduating college students from any discipline.
This year’s class reflects a broad range of disciplines, socio-economic backgrounds, and project diversity. They will travel to 52 countries pursuing topics ranging from emergency medicine to immersive history; from agriculture policy to interactive textiles; from animal conservation to vernacular architecture.
"The Watson encourages students to identify the most important themes in their lives and imagine them as projects on an international scale. The journey produces a year of life-changing perspective and cultural connection that shapes the arc of fellows' lives,” said Chris Kasabach, Executive Director of the Watson Foundation. "It’s never been more important for young leaders to engage with others across differences, disciplines and borders.”
For a complete list of fellows and projects please visit the Watson Fellows page.
For further information: [email protected]
About the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship
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 support and inspiration.
The Watson community includes international and local 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 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, develop their potential, and build the confidence and perspective to be more humane and effective leaders in the world community.
2025 THOMAS J. WATSON FELLOWS
Aaliyah Bullen, Swarthmore College
Aidan Henrikson, Pitzer College
Aiza Malinias, Connecticut College
Ajahni Jackson, Wheaton College
Amie Tian, Wellesley College
Andrew Fredericks, Hamilton College
Andrew Han, Colorado College
Blanche Darr, Bard College
Brett Gilman, Middlebury College
Brian Liu, Bowdoin College
Bryson Bugdon, Ursinus College
Cecelia Schneider, Hendrix College
Charles Haberstock, Hamilton College
Dan Schmidt, Colorado College
Ella Carlson, Colby College
Gabrielle Chang, California Institute of Technology
Gwenyth Eichfeld, Colgate University
Jonah Docter-Loeb, Carleton College
Kenzie Bay, Whitman College
Kinley Yangden, Connecticut College
Linnea Goh, College of the Atlantic
Maged Hassan, Connecticut College
Malia Detar Cheung, Wesleyan University
Maryam Badr, Wesleyan University
Meira Smit, Macalester College
Mitch Porter, Carleton College
Momoka Schmidt, Scripps College
Moyo Oyedeji-Olaniyan, Harvey Mudd College
Nadiya Muhammad, Pomona College
Olivia Colace, Bryn Mawr College
Parth Sinojia, Rhodes College
Roselyn Ovalle, Rice University
Sara Garcia, Grinnell College
Skye Jalal, Oberlin College
Sophia Tottene-Darvas, Bowdoin College
Victoria Semmelhack, Carleton College
Vishnu Anandraj, Colgate University