Chapel Hill & Durham, North Carolina, May 20, 2024– The Robertson Scholars Leadership Program is excited to welcome twenty-five incoming first-year students to 2028 Cohort. The Scholars selected are some of the brightest and most dynamic leaders from across the globe, representing four continents and thirteen states.

Noah Awan, Cary, NC	Anika Mohan, Fremont, CA
Robert Barsel, Las Vegas, NV	Anaya Murray, Memphis, TN
Lila Bragard, Culver City, CA	Austin Pemble, Vienna, VA
Georgia Bukata, Scottsdale, AZ	Charlie Rubsamen, Chagrin Falls, OH
Clark Easley, Schaumburg, IL	Olivia Sewell, London, UK & Auckland, NZ
Osayamen Ediae, Townsend, DE	Loreal Thomas, Winterville, NC
Chidalu Emy-Munonye, Frederick, MD	Natalie Veale, Hopewell, NJ
Alicia Gebara, Bethesda, MD	Lily Waehner, Midlothian, VA
Karly Hairston, High Point, NC	Tanya Wan, Hong Kong
Anusha Krishnan, Darnestown, MD	Zachary Wickens, Oxfordshire, UK
Jonathan Lan, Weston, MA	Bailee Wright, High Point, NC
Layla Leo, Weems, VA	Ewa Zapała, Krakow, Poland
Torrey Lin Weiner, Golden, CO

“The 2028 Robertson cohort represents committed young leaders from around the globe dedicated to changing the world around them. Students from this cohort represent the dynamism, the commitment to community, and the agency that we value in young leaders,” said Director of Recruitment Kay-Frances Brody.

The Robertson Scholars Leadership Program invests in young leaders who strive to make transformational contributions to society. Scholars are selected based on students’ demonstrated leadership, including the ability to be curious, act with agency & integrity, and forge collaborative communities.

Andrew Lakis, Executive Director for the Robertson Scholars Leadership Program, remarked, “The Robertson Scholars Leadership Program is more than a scholarship to two world class institutions of higher education – it’s a life-long community of dedicated leaders who believe that profound change is possible. Our scholars bring the mission of our community to life every day through big and small acts of leadership, and are unapologetically committed to making transformational contributions to society.”

In addition to full tuition, room, and board, Robertson Scholars receive student privileges at both Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill, including opportunities to enroll in courses, pursue additional majors and minors, spend a semester in residence on the other campus, and lead on both campuses. This unique partnership allows Robertsons to enjoy the benefits of being both a Duke student and a UNC student, offering an unmatched undergraduate experience.

During their time as Scholars, students engage in cohort-based leadership development experiences designed to encourage Scholars to lead with curiosity, purpose and a commitment to impacting the lives of others. Scholars also have access to three generously funded summer experiences and other grants to fuel self-designed learning and leadership growth.

The Robertson Scholars Leadership Program was created in 2000 through the work and generosity of Julian Robertson, a 1955 graduate of UNC, and his wife, Josie. Inspired by their sons – one of whom graduated from Duke in 1998, and another from UNC in 2001 – the Robertsons believed that each institution offered a distinctive undergraduate experience, but that the combination of the two promised a breadth and depth of resources that no other university could match. The Robertson family continues to work closely alongside the program staff to make this a one-of-a-kind experience for emerging leaders.

The Robertson alumni network consists of more than 600 leaders on six continents, linked together by a common goal to make transformational contributions to the global community.