Schwarzman Scholars

Future global leaders, including University of Rochester students and alumni, become Schwarzman Scholars and study at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.

The Schwarzman Scholars program was founded by American financier Stephen A. Schwarzman in 2015. Inspired by the Rhodes Scholarship, the program promotes international understanding and peace.

Schwarzman Scholars earn a master’s degree at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, and are offered an immersive experience within an international community of thinkers and leaders in business, politics, and society. Scholars pursue master’s degrees in global affairs (in English), study the Chinese language, and have access to internships, personalized mentorship, high-profile speakers, field-based seminars, and travel to different regions of China.

Scholars are selected based on their leadership abilities, academic achievement, and demonstrated potential to become future global leaders who will build bridges between China and the rest of the world.

Learn more about the Schwarzman Scholars program and other fellowship, scholarship, and award opportunities available to Rochester students.

Recent Schwarzman Scholar

Congratulations to the most recent Schwarzman Scholar from the University of Rochester!

Souleymane Diallo ’24 is an international relations major from Guinea, West Africa. He’s one of 150 members of the 2024–25 Schwarzman cohort, representing 43 countries and 114 universities. The class was selected from a pool of more than 4,000 candidates.

Read Souleymane Diallo's News Center Article

Past Schwarzman Scholars and Runners-Up

2022–23 Scholars

Lea Thome ’22
Areas of study: International relations (BA) and political science (BA)

Haosong Zheng ’21, ’22S
Areas of study: Business and data science, business analytics

2020–21 Scholars

Beauclaire Mbanya ’20
Area of study: Chemical engineering (BS)

Suman Kumar ’19
Area of study: Mechanical engineering (BS)

2020–21 Finalists

John Cole ’20 (T5)
Areas of study: Economics (BA) and international relations (BA)

Xiangyiqing (Edith) Shen ’20
Area of study: International relations (BA) and business (BA)

2019–20 Scholar

Beixi Li ’19M
Area of study: Master of public health

2017 Semifinalist

Maria Zagorulya ’17
Area of study: Biochemistry (BS)

2016 Scholar

Jintian “Jay” Li ’12
Area of study: Film and media studies (BA)