Meet the eight sophomores and juniors selected for Occidental's premier leadership training program
Eight Occidental sophomores and juniors, including four first-generation college students, have been selected as Occidental’s 2023-24 cohort of Barack Obama Scholars. The prestigious leadership training program seeks to empower exceptional students committed to the public good.
Obama Scholars, who can pursue any field of study at the College, are selected on the basis of a strong record of academic achievement and a demonstrated commitment to the public good, with an emphasis on first-generation students, veterans, and community college transfers. The 2023-24 cohort represents a wide range of majors, from history and geology to diplomacy and world affairs and psychology.
The 2023-24 Barack Obama Scholars are:
![Obama Scholar Melany Bennett '24 Obama Scholar Melany Bennett '24](https://www.oxy.edu/sites/default/files/styles/wysiwyg_200w/public/Bennett_Melany-11.jpg)
![Obama Scholar Raul Cruz Robinson ’25 Obama Scholar Raul Cruz Robinson ’25](https://www.oxy.edu/sites/default/files/styles/wysiwyg_200w/public/Cruz_Robinson_Raul-07.jpg)
![Obama Scholar Yenni Guadalupe Gonzalez Salinas ’25 Obama Scholar Yenni Guadalupe Gonzalez Salinas ’25](https://www.oxy.edu/sites/default/files/styles/wysiwyg_200w/public/Guadalupe_Gonzalez_Salinas_Yenni-09.jpg)
![Obama Scholar Raja Bella Hicks ’25 Obama Scholar Raja Bella Hicks ’25](https://www.oxy.edu/sites/default/files/styles/wysiwyg_200w/public/Bella_Hicks_Raja-05.jpg)
![Obama Scholar Joy Mopeli ’25 Obama Scholar Joy Mopeli ’25](https://www.oxy.edu/sites/default/files/styles/wysiwyg_200w/public/Mopeli_Joy-09.jpg)
![Obama Scholar Francesca Romero ’25 Obama Scholar Francesca Romero ’25](https://www.oxy.edu/sites/default/files/styles/wysiwyg_200w/public/Romero_Francesca-15.jpg)
![Obama Scholar Jessie Salinas ’25 Obama Scholar Jessie Salinas ’25](https://www.oxy.edu/sites/default/files/styles/wysiwyg_200w/public/Salinas_Jessie-07.jpg)
![Obama Scholar Matthew Vickers ’25 Obama Scholar Matthew Vickers ’25](https://www.oxy.edu/sites/default/files/styles/wysiwyg_200w/public/Vickers_Matthew-07.jpg)
During the academic year, participants are enrolled in the Obama Scholars Seminar in addition to their regular class schedule. All are mentored by faculty advisers and members of the Advisory Council, and participate in networking and leadership development opportunities with partner organizations.
All Scholars will participate in a fully funded 10-week summer program of experiential learning and leadership training. Scholars who enter as sophomores also will receive a second summer of funding for an independent internship, research project, or community service opportunity. Each Obama Scholar will receive up to $10,000 in postgraduate funding to launch their career in support of the public good.
Top photo: Standing, l-r: Melany Bennett, Raul Cruz Robinson, Francesca Romero, and Matthew Vickers. Seated: Jessie Salinas, Joy Mopeli, Yenni Gonzalez Salinas, and Raja Bella Hicks.