University of Michigan: Six U-M students chosen for inaugural Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship

Six University of Michigan students who are seeking public service careers have been recently named recipients of the inaugural Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship.

The two-year program was created by former President Barack Obama, his wife Michelle and Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky. The inaugural cohort of 100 juniors represent 35 states and territories and 70 colleges and universities. U-M had the most awardees of any university represented in the program’s first year. They include:

Hannah Feng, Ada, Michigan
Psychology and international studies

Janice Kang, Glenview, Illinois
Political science and Spanish

McLaren Lindsey, Atlanta, Georgia
Linguistics, French language and culture

Nirav Patel, Livingston, New Jersey
Business administration and finance

Mariel Vander Schuur, West Olive, Michigan
Women’s and gender studies and environmental science

Michael Wilkins, Castle Rock, Colorado
International studies

All awardees will receive up to $60,000 over the remaining two years of their undergraduate program, and up to an additional $20,000 for the next 10 years as a travel budget.

Since the program is for rising juniors, second-semester sophomores may apply the summer before their junior year. The next application is expected to open May 2023.