About Us
March 13, 2026
Announcing the 58th Class of Thomas J. Watson Fellows
New York, New York (March 13th, 2026) – Continuing its tradition of expanding the vision and developing the potential of remarkable young leaders, today the Watson Foundation announced its 58th 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 backgrounds, disciplines, and project diversity. Fellows will travel to 71 countries pursuing topics ranging from local theater to global cancer care, from mountain communities to music technologies, from rural healthcare to urban forestry.
"The Watson encourages students to identify the most important themes in their lives and turn them into a blueprint for exploration on an international scale. A Watson Year produces 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: support@watson.foundation
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 a lifetime of 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.
2026 THOMAS J. WATSON FELLOWS
Arshdeep Kaur, Hamilton College
Bekir Hodzic, Vassar College
Brett Karpf, Bates College
Brianna Castillo, Lawrence University
Brooke Lackey, Davidson College
Carah Anteck, Berea College
Caroline Johnson, Rhodes College
Chinwe Bruns, Bowdoin College
Darta Sipola, Whitman College
Elodie Griffin-Schmidt, Williams College
Florence Basile, Carleton College
Hannah Epstein, Bryn Mawr
Harshitha Talasila, Colgate University
Henry Burkhardt, Carleton College
Ines Benjelloun, Colby College
Jade Kuan, Wellesley College
Karma Elbadawy, Rice University
Katie Maier, Williams College
Keaidi Zhang, Haverford College
Leilani Elkaslasy, Harvey Mudd College
Lilly Curtis, Bowdoin College
Lucas Nerbonne, Middlebury College
Lucy Bamford, Ursinus College
Lucy Meola, Hamilton College
Margot Ferris, Haverford College
Maryanne Ndung'u, Whitman College
Maya Miller, Oberlin College
Miski Nopo, Harvey Mudd College
Neve Rauscher, Davidson College
Noa Polish, Scripps College
Paloma Doyle, Connecticut College
Rachel Rudacille, Grinnell College
Rebekah Hong, Amherst College
Riley Cooper, Whitman College
Roman Belton, Sewanee: University of the South
Sara Fakhry, Haverford College
Shabab Kabir, Grinnell College
Steven Mukum Tembele, Swarthmore College
Tamira Le, Wesleyan University
Tess Frazer, Scripps College