Letter from the Chairs
Dear Friends,
This year marks another meaningful chapter in the life of Occidental College and in the evolution of the Barack Obama Scholars Program.
We were proud to welcome President Tom Stritikus to Oxy last summer. A longtime champion of educational access, his leadership reflects the very values the Obama Scholars Program was built to uphold. His arrival coincides with several institutional milestones: Occidental earned its highest U.S. News & World Report ranking in 15 years (#34), and for the first time, was designated a Research College by the Carnegie Foundation and American Council on Education. Oxy continues to distinguish itself as a place where undergraduates don’t just learn—they lead.
We were fortunate to spend time on campus this summer with the newest cohort of Scholars, and we continue to be inspired by the caliber of students this program attracts. Their passion for equity, community, and change is matched by their creativity and commitment. The program continues to attract exceptional students committed to the public good and our alumni are making their mark. Jaya Duckworth ’23 recently earned a full-tuition Distinguished Scholars Award to UCLA Law School, following two years advocating for low-income clients at Partners for Justice in Los Angeles. Will Powers ’23, now with the Kentucky Student Voice Team, played a key role in mobilizing young voters to defeat a school choice amendment, an effort recognized in statewide news coverage.
In a world that often feels increasingly uncertain, we remain hopeful— because we’ve met the students who are determined to lead it. As we said to supporters this year, the world needs more Oxy. And Oxy needs more from all of us to make the Obama Scholars Program reach new heights.
Thank you for standing with us to make this work possible.
Hector De La Torre ’89 P’20
Sara El-Amine ’07 H’18
Celebrating the 2024-25 Scholars Cohort
Now in their second year of the program, the 2024-25 Obama Scholars cohort are leading with purpose and shaping change across disciplines. All Scholars participate in a fully-funded 10-weeks of experiential learning and leadership training the summer after their selection. Scholars who enter as sophomores also receive a second summer of funding for an independent internship, research project, or community service opportunity, domestic or international. Thanks to your support, Scholars from this cohort have taken direct, hands-on action to confront some of the most pressing challenges of our time.
Raymond Arias ’26, pre-law and economics major: Raymond interned for Bet Tzedek and the Inner City Law Center in L.A. He was named a Truman Scholar finalist in spring 2024.
Aminah Gassama ’25, critical theory and social justice major and a double minor in Black studies and media, arts, and culture: Aminah interned for UndocuBlack and is working on a documentary on Black identity in Greece. She will be participating in the Kahane U.N. Program in fall 2025.
Cecilia Grané ’26, politics major and public health minor: Cecilia interned at First 5 LA and at Offender Aid and Restoration (OAR) in D.C. over the summer. She served as President of the Associated Students of Occidental College from 2024-25.
Owen Lee ’26, American studies major and an urban and environmental policy minor: Owen conducted research on urban agriculture in L.A. and in Samoa as part of a study abroad program. They were awarded a Fulbright MitacsGlobalink Fellowship in summer 2025 to conduct research on the Ahousaht Data Sovereignty project at the University of British Columbia.
Liliana Madrid Larrañaga ’26, kinesiology major and public health minor on the pre-health track: Liliana interned for Emmons Health at Oxy and took summer classes in nursing at the University of New Mexico. She was named a Truman Scholar finalist in spring 2024.
Jhozibel Medina Gonzalez ’26, economics major and critical theory and social justice minor: Jhozibel has interned for The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), Strategic Actions for a Just Economy, and the Esperanza Immigrant Rights project in L.A. She has also been a language tutor for Comparte and an administrative coordinator for the Neighborhood Partnership Program on campus.
Tram Nguyen ’26, urban and environmental policy major with a double minor in public health and education: Tram interned for CHIRLA and Springbay Studio, an educational organization in Canada that teaches environmental readiness. She is also an office assistant for the Office of the President.
July Paw ’26, biology major: July participated in University of Washington’s Summer Health Professions Education Program and School for International Training’s (SIT) Traditional Medicine and Community Health Program in Vietnam. She serves on the executive boards of the Sustainable Oxy Citizens Club and Occidental College’s Women in STEM Club.
Introducing the 2025-26 Scholars
We are delighted to introduce the eight emerging leaders that make up the newest cohort of Obama Scholars for 2025-26. Thanks to your partnership and generosity, our Scholars have the tools, mentorship, resources, and opportunities to become changemakers within their communities and deepen their commitment to civic engagement.
JOSE BUSTAMANTE ’27 A first-generation computer science and economics double major from East Los Angeles, Jose is passionate about using large language models to improve equitable, individualized education and aims to build AI tools for underserved learners in the edtech industry.
JAYMES D. GRIGGS ’27 A first-generation biology major with an environmental science focus from Louisville, Kentucky, Jaymes researches climate change through critical environmental justice and Indigenous perspectives and aspires to make environmental studies accessible to marginalized communities.
DEREK JIMENEZ ’27 A first-generation art and art history and urban and environmental policy double major from Wellesley, Massachusetts, Derek explores the intersection of art, urban spaces, and ecoconscious architecture, aiming to design equitable and sustainable housing solutions.
CHIOMA KALU ’27 An urban and environmental policy major with a minor in education, Chioma, a Nigerian, born in Mozambique, is passionate about housing justice and equitable education, aspiring to teach and reform federal policy for underrepresented students.
CAL KREUTER ’27 A history and Spanish double major from St. Louis, Missouri, Cal is dedicated to addressing educational inequities, mentors peers as a writing adviser, and plans to develop policies strengthening public schools and opportunities in his hometown and beyond.
VILLATHINA “THINA” LY ’27 A diplomacy and world affairs major from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Thina focuses on labor migration and women’s empowerment, leading projects for economic self-sufficiency, and hopes to shape Cambodia’s diplomatic future.
JULIAN CASTAÑON VILLA ’27 A diplomacy and world affairs major from Seattle, Washington, Julian researches grassroots internationalism and community-led peace movements, aiming for a career in education and public service to amplify diverse voices in global affairs.
ISABELLA VILLAGOMEZ ’26 A psychology major and interdisciplinary writing minor from Oregon, Isabella, a first-generation transfer student, researches social media literacy and misinformation, aspiring to pursue law or graduate school to advocate for underrepresented communities.
Barack Obama Scholars Program Advisory Council
We are grateful to our Advisory Council and Distinguished Community Members for generously sharing their support, guidance, wisdom, and mentorship with our Scholars, faculty, and staff. They play a vital role in preparing our students to become thoughtful, capable leaders and in fulfilling the mission of the Obama Scholars Program.
ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS
CO-CHAIRS
Hector De La Torre ’89 P’20
Public Policy Leader
Sara El-Amine ’07 H’18 Political Strategist
OBAMA ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Liz Blackman ’80
Animal Rescue Advocate
Jamila Chambers
Executive Director, Occidental College, Hameetman Career Center
Alicia Cleaver
AVP Individual Giving, Occidental College
Nina J. Gutin, Ph.D ’85 Psychologist
Maurine Halperin P’16 Education Leader
Philip Halperin P’16 Education Leader
Octavio Herrera ’98
Software Entrepreneur
Bob Johnson ’77
Entertainment Attorney
David Kim ’85
National Transportation Policy Strategist
Kathryn Leonard
Interim Dean of the College, Occidental College
Jennifer Locke
Senior Director, Fellowship and Scholar Programs, Occidental College
Jacinta Pister P’12 P’16 P’20
Retired Manufacturing Executive
Prof. Erica Preston-Roedder Faculty Member, Occidental College
Prof. Ryan Preston-Roedder
Faculty Mentor, Occidental College
Eve Riley P’17
Lawyer (retired)
Joel Riley P’17
Physician
*Deceased **Former Obama Speaker
Janette Sadik-Khan ’82 H’10
Urban Transportation Planner
Roger Guenveur Smith ’77 H’11
Actor, Director, and Writer
Maya Soetoro-Ng H’18
Professor, Entrepreneur, and Philanthropist
Tom Stritikus
Occidental College President
Joe Sweeney P’26
Investment Management
Angela Vawter
Administrative and Advising Assistant, Occidental College
Richard Whitmore P’12 P’16 P’20
Education Leader
DISTINGUISHED COMMUNITY MEMBERS
Denise Campbell Bauer ’86
U.S. Ambassador to France and Monaco
John Branca ’72
Entertainment Lawyer
Bill Davis ’80
Former Public Radio Executive
Laurent Delanney ’82
Global Sports Marketing Executive
Dr. Susan DiMarco P’17
Civic Leader
Fred DuVal ’76
Policy Consultant
Mark Fabiani P’21
Political Strategist
Prof. Alan G. Freeman ‘66 M’67 P’89 P’91
Theater Director and Writer
Suzanne Greenberg ’82
Self-Employed, Former Banking Executive
Wahid Hamid ’82 H’11
International Investor
Chris Johnson ’83
Business Executive
Jeh Johnson H’15 P’17**
Former Secretary of Homeland Security
DISTINGUISHED COMMUNITY
MEMBERS (CON’T.)
Melody Malmberg ’79
Author and Editor
David Martin ’61
Architect
Rob McKay ’86 H’03
President, McKay Family Foundation
Ian McKinnon ’89
Investment Manager
Ted Mitchell H’07**
President, American Council on Education Occidental College President Emeritus
Steve Olson
Attorney
David Plouffe**
Campaign and Policy Adviser
Ben Rhodes**
Writer and Political Commentator
Joe Rohde ’77
Artist, Designer, Writer, Executive, Speaker
Vinai Kumar Thummalapally
Former Ambassador to Belize
Jonathan Veitch
Occidental College President Emeritus
Scholar Spotlight
Obama Fellows Alejo Maggini ’22 and Angelina Lee ’22 met unexpectedly at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last fall. Alejo, a Project Associate for the Meridian Institute, attended the convention to support the participation of a delegation of family farmers, Indigenous Peoples, women, and youth leaders to discuss food systems transformation and resilience building. Angelina, a film creator, was there to showcase her documentary on the Miyawaki method for urban reforestation, which has since been accepted to several major film festivals. Alejo sent in this picture and wrote, “I am sharing because both of us mentioned how grateful we were to Oxy for connecting us and nurturing our passions through the Obama Fellows Program. Thanks very much for your continued work for the current and future generations of scholars!”
Alejo Maggini ’22 (left) and Angelina Lee ’22 (right) at the UNCCD in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, fall 2024.