Cornell University Welcomes its 2024 Kessler Fellows Cohort

The Kessler Fellows program recently welcomed 20 students to its 2024 cohort. The students will spend their spring semesters sharpening their entrepreneurial skills while preparing for a fully funded summer internship at a startup of their choice.

Students from all walks of Cornell with an interest in entrepreneurship are encouraged to apply to the Kessler Fellows program, which only requires applicants be a junior in standing. The program provides the opportunity for students to build their entrepreneurial skills, experience and professional network throughout their summer internship.

When asked about her interest in the Kessler Fellows program, An Le ’25 said, “I hope to meet other students interested in entrepreneurship to learn about their passions, listen to sharing sessions from Cornell alumni, and support others in growing and learning about entrepreneurship.”

During the spring semester, fellows complete a one-credit course to explore fundamental topics in entrepreneurship and help cultivate their readiness for a summer internship experience at a startup. While taking this course students research startups they are interested in and connect with Entrepreneurs in Residence, who offer their advice and expertise as they begin to secure internships. Throughout the internship, students receive a weekly stipend and have travel costs covered, thanks to the generosity of Andrew J. Kessler ’80.

The 2024 Kessler Fellows are:

  • Akshay Undevia ’25, mechanical engineering
  • An Le ’25, information science
  • Anna Ying ’25, government and information science
  • Dylan Van Bramer ’25, computer science
  • Eliz Celik ’25, biomedical engineering
  • Emuna Rouhani ’25, information engineering
  • James Jabara ’25, chemistry and biology
  • Armita Jamshidi ’25, women’s health and computer science
  • James Koga ’25, computer science
  • Jesse Cheng ’25, computer science
  • Krupa Sekhar ’25, computer science
  • Matthew Wong ’25, information science, systems, and technology
  • Nirbhay Singh Narang ’25, computer science
  • Patrick Moore ’25, chemical engineering
  • Rachael Close ’25, computer science
  • Salvatore Natale ’25, computer science
  • Sam Rebello ’25, agricultural science and information science
  • Shreemann Raghavan ’25, applied economics and management
  • Tommy Kubicka ’25, applied economics and management
  • Zhu (Eric) Liu ’25, computer science

The cohort will complete their program in the fall with a presentation reflecting on their summer experiences. Many of these students are hopeful to bring their startup dreams to reality and create a lasting meaningful impact on society.

“After the Kessler Fellowship, I hope to use my entrepreneurship experience to scale innovative solutions and to inspire and lead ventures that not only thrive in the market but also contribute profoundly to societal and environmental well-being,” said Kessler Fellow Sam Rebello ’24.