WASHINGTON — Howard University senior Moriah Hamilton has been named to this year’s cohort of Schwarzman Scholars. The 150 scholars named to this year’s cohort were selected from a record high of 5,000 candidates worldwide. This year’s scholars hail from 38 countries and 105 universities from around the world.

Scholars will attend a one-year, fully funded master’s degree program in global affairs at Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. Designed to prepare the next generation of global leaders, Schwarzman Scholars continues to be one of the most selective graduate fellowship programs in the world.

With the incoming class, the Schwarzman Scholars network now includes over 1,300 members from 104 countries and 459 institutions worldwide. Schwarzman Scholars alumni have demonstrated immense leadership capacity, trailblazing in a number of industries and collaborating to tackle pressing issues around the world.

Hamilton is a senior civil and environmental engineering major with a minor in computer science and a focus on sustainable infrastructure. As president of Howard University’s Engineering Without Borders chapter and a UNICEF Climate Change youth ambassador, she has led projects expanding equitable access to energy and infrastructure in underserved communities across the Global South. Drawing on her experiences in the U.S. and China, Hamilton aims to innovative development in Guyana and the wider Caribbean region through engineering and sustainable infrastructure.

“As a Schwarzman Scholar, I prioritize any opportunity to gain more intimate knowledge of global cultures and communities,” Hamilton said. “The knowledge and experience I will gain at Tsinghua University will better position me to implement and innovate infrastructure and systems for development in the Global South, particularly relating to renewable energy systems and sustainable infrastructure.”

Ishmael Williams (B.S. ’19), a magna cum laude graduate in nutritional science, has also been selected. He has a diversified background demonstrating strong community engagement including healthcare education leadership and work to promote financial empowerment.

“Our tenth cohort fills me with optimism for the future,” said Stephen A. Schwarzman, founding trustee of Schwarzman Scholars. “This year’s selected Scholars are keenly interested in learning about China and broadening their understanding of global affairs, which are both now more important than ever. Our network, now ten classes strong, is already starting to make a global impact, and I am proud of our program’s continued success. I look forward to watching this inspiring community continue to grow.”

"I am excited to welcome the tenth cohort to the Schwarzman Scholars and Tsinghua University communities," said Xue Lan, Dean of Schwarzman College. “This class embodies Schwarzman College’s commitment to fostering global connections, advancing knowledge, and nurturing leaders who will address the most pressing challenges of our time. They will bring tremendous vitality and international experience to Tsinghua campus.”

Scholars are selected through a competitive application process designed to identify leadership potential, intellect, and strength of character. Close to 400 candidates were invited to interview with panels of CEOs, government leaders, university presidents, and non-profit executives, among others.

Starting in August 2025, the Scholars selected for the tenth cohort will engage in a graduate curriculum focused on leadership, global affairs, and China. The students are taught by leading faculty from Tsinghua as well as from many globally recognized international universities, and attend lectures delivered by global thought leaders. Scholars gain unique exposure to China through mentoring, internships, and experiential learning.

Additionally, career development is provided to help Scholars excel in various fields upon graduation. The program’s unique combination of coursework, cultural immersion, and personal and professional development equips Schwarzman Scholars with a well-rounded understanding of China’s changing role in the world, critically important to leadership in any field in the 21st century.

For more information, please contact pressroom@schwarzmanscholars.org

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