Jenna Yuan CC’24

Two Columbians have been named Class of 2025 Schwarzman Scholars; Jenna Yuan CC’24 and Helen Yang SEAS’24 will attend Tsinghua University in Beijing next year for a one-year master’s program in global affairs.

Inspired by the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship, the Schwarzman Scholars program selects recipients for their leadership potential, intellect and strength of character. Yuan and Yang will join a class of 150 Schwarzman Scholars from 43 countries and 114 universities.

The Schwarzman Scholars program allows participants to deepen their understanding of China’s changing role in the world and the economic, political and cultural factors that have contributed to its growing influence as a global power. The program also seeks to promote international understanding, peace and collaboration. Beyond the classroom, scholars learn about China by spending the year traveling within the country, and gain access to professional networks through internships, mentorships, high-profile speakers and engaged faculty members.

Yuan is a political science major from Seattle. She has pursued research experiences at the Atlantic Council, the Law School's Center for Public Research and Leadership, and as an assistant to SIPA dean Keren Yarhi-Milo. She is also president of the Columbia Political Union, a multi-partisan organization that promotes political discourse and civic engagement on campus. Last summer she was a coordinating intern at Legal Outreach, where she was an assistant in a law- and social studies-based summer enrichment program for a class of 20 rising ninth graders from across NYC.

Yuan looks forward to improving her Chinese language skills while deepening her understanding of China and public policy. An aspiring educator and policymaker, she hopes to begin her career as a Mandarin Chinese dual-language teacher in the public school system, advocating for the needs of underserved students through innovative pedagogy and policy.

Students and alumni can learn more about the Schwarzman Scholars program and other fellowship offerings through the Undergraduate Research & Fellowships Office.