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March 18, 2026
Announcing the 2026 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 18, 2026) --Today the Watson Foundation announced the selection of its 27th Class of Jeannette K. Watson Fellows. The fellowship program provides student leaders from 12 New York City colleges with three years of unprecedented 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 character, convictions and aspirations 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. Over 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 Aspen, Coro, Fulbright, Truman, 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 works with students to develop personal, professional and cultural opportunities that expand their vision, test and develop their potential, and build their confidence and perspective to be more humane and effective leaders with a world view.
2026 Jeannette K. Watson Fellows (Class of 2028)
Allyson Poyker, Baruch College
Andres Ortiz, The City College of New York
Camila Tabora, LIU
Damion Kettle, Hunter College
Esther Adewoyin, College of Staten Island
Hope Finazzo, Hunter College
Jada Alyanna Chico, Queens College
Julia Schmidberger, College of Staten Island
Keely Jean-Baptiste, Brooklyn College
Kejsi Metko, The City College of New York
Layah Landrum, St. John's University
Nailea Cardenas, Pace University
Natalie Polanco, John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Nicole Leung, John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Soleda Silva, Pace University
Participating Institutions
Baruch College
Brooklyn College
College of Staten Island
Hunter College
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Lehman College
Long Island University
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.