May 30, 2023

Bethesda, Maryland — The A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation celebrates the 100 A. James Clark Scholars who graduated this year from Duke University, Georgia Institute of Technology, George Washington University, Johns Hopkins University, Stevens Institute of Technology, University of Maryland, The University of Pennsylvania, University of Virginia, Vanderbilt University, and Virginia Tech. 

Each year, the Foundation’s Clark Scholars Program partners with 11 top-tier universities to provide scholarships, mentorships, and guidance for underrepresented engineering students. The program demonstrates students can succeed in rigorous programs with targeted support. 

The exceptional students chosen for the Clark Scholars Program have completed a rigorous engineering program and business courses at their respective universities. Alongside their studies, they have participated in activities to elevate their leadership and community-building skills. All Clark Scholars receive the resources and support they need to excel. 

The Clark Scholars Program ensures that, regardless of financial need, the next generation of engineering leaders is equipped with the finest education and the mentorship that will fuel their success. This was a lifelong passion of the Clark Scholars namesake, A. James Clark, an engineer, businessman, and philanthropist.  

“Every year, I am honored to watch the Clark Scholars graduate and embark on a new, exciting adventure,” said Courtney Clark Pastrick, Board Chair of the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation. “I know my father’s legacy of opportunity and leadership will be carried on by these talented young people. I wish all the graduates a successful future and look forward to their future involvement as Clark Scholars alumni.” 

Through the Foundation’s $165 million investment in its signature academic program, the endowed scholarships will support more than 475 students annually in perpetuity at 11 of the nation’s top engineering institutions. The Clark Foundation recognizes that our success as a nation depends on us equipping the best and brightest minds with the tools and knowledge to solve our biggest problems. 

Learn more about the Clark Scholars here.

Clark Scholars Class of December 2022 and May 2023

Duke University
Himani Bhat, Civil Engineering
Devin Ellis, Mechanical Engineering
Alexa Goble, Risk, Data, and Financial Engineering
Gloria Odenyo, Civil Engineering
Marcus Ortiz, Mechanical Engineering & Computer Science
Jessica Wey, Civil Engineering – Environmental Track, with Certificate in Architectural Engineering

Georgia Institute of Technology
MacKenzie Sicard, Industrial and Systems Engineering
Simrill (Nina) Smith, Environmental Engineering
Sidney Winfield, Aerospace Engineering
Victoria Lynn, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Fatima Sheriff, Mechanical Engineering
Sierra Villarreal, Environmental Engineering
Huong Ho, Industrial and Systems Engineering
John Igieobo, Computer Engineering

George Washington University
Connor Burnett, Computer Science
Lauren Hahn, Computer Science
Victoria Hennemann, Computer Science
Davis Hundt, Civil Engineering
Meilian Kurlas, Biomedical Engineering
Christopher Lemkan, Civil Engineering
Arielle Maignan, Biomedical Science
Adam Poche, Mechanical Engineering
Michael Ryan, Biomedical Engineering
Kevish Shah, Civil Engineering
Jenna Pressman, Biomedical Engineering

John Hopkins University
Danbi Rhee, Applied Mathematics and Statistics
Marc Helou, Computer Science
Tyler Shin, Computer Science
Adriana Pena, Environmental Engineering
Alexander Rovalino, Biomedical Engineering
Kathy Cao, Mechanical Engineering
Nyeli Kratz, Biomedical Engineering
Ricky Cheng, Computer Science
Will Rong, Materials Science & Engineering

Stevens Institute of Technology
Christian Szablewski-Paz, Computer Science
Michael Botros, Mechanical Engineering
Caroline Corr, Biomedical Engineering
Adrian Garcia, Software Engineering
William Martin, Software Engineering
Vaughn Rice, Biomedical Engineering
Lily Stevenson, Civil Engineering
Sophia Turci, Chemical Engineering
Skyler Doherty, Mechanical Engineering
Susan George, Biomedical Engineering
Vanessa Huerta, Chemical Engineering
Kelcie Keenan, Mechanical Engineering
Vijay Persaud, Chemical Engineering
Leah Villanueva, Mechanical Engineering
Samantha Weckesser, Industrial and Systems Engineering

University of Maryland
Amaya Caggino, Mechanical Engineering
Amy Suk, Mechanical Engineering; Global Engineering Leadership/General Business
Sterling Mead, Mechanical Engineering; Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Jwoyal Ranjit, Aerospace Engineering; Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture
Kristen Yee, Mechanical Engineering
Miranda Pierce, Civil Engineering; Project Management
Vinomie Galagama, Mechanical Engineering
Andrew Green, Computer Engineering

University of Pennsylvania
Abudurazaq (Razaq) Aribidesi, Mechanical Engineering & Applied Mechanics
Abdelwahab (Aboudi) Babiker, Chemistry & Bimolecular Engineering; Chemistry (minor)
Ricky Gonzalez, Computer Science; BS: Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Brendan Kim, Electrical Engineering; MS: Electrical Engineering
Fatima Koroma, Systems Science & Engineering; Mathematics (minor)
Terence Lin, Mechanical Engineering & Applied Mechanics
Sadek Munawar, Computer Engineering; MS: Robotics
Aisha Olapade, Applied Science – Computer Science; Urban Studies (minor); Mathematics (minor)
Jimmy Ren, Computer Science; Data Science (minor); Mathematics (minor); MS Data Science
Davis Tran, Computer Science; Engineering Entrepreneurship (minor); Mathematics (minor)

University of Virginia
Andrea Kian, Biomedical Engineering
Anne Felipe, Biomedical Engineering
Cameron Williams, Chemical Engineering
Daniel Boachie, Computer Science
David Tran, Computer Science
Emmalyn Kim, Biomedical Engineering
Gina Brown, Biomedical Engineering
Isaac Heath, Biomedical Engineering
Marina Awad, Biomedical Engineering
Samantha Nicholson, Mechanical Engineering
Sin Lin, Civil Engineering
Trenton Bilyeu, Mechanical Engineering

Vanderbilt University
Rehoboth Abera, Computer Science; Cinema and Media Arts (minor)
Lorena Cruz, Engineering Science & Child Development; Engineering Management (minor)
Jack Evans, Electrical and Computer Engineering; Materials Science, Engineering Management, Computer Science (minors)
Hannah Farley, Computer Science; Engineering Management, Mathematics (minors)
Jordyn Herrington, Biomedical Engineering
Alexandra Kusio, Engineering Science
Joshua Payne, Computer Science; Engineering Management (minor)
David Perez, Computer Science; Mathematics (minor)
Jonathan Wieland, Engineering Science; Digital Fabrication (minor)
Rubin Zou, Computer Science

Virginia Tech
Kojo Akrong, Industrial and Systems Engineering
Araceli Cabrera-Otuno, Computer Engineering
Parker Henrick, Chemical Engineering
Kevin Lizarazu-Ampuero, Computer Engineering
Rodney Okyere, Computer Science
Naylle Pando, Computer Science
Long Phan, Computer Science
Nathan Stanley, Mechanical Engineering
Kien Tran, Computer Engineering
Andrew Chan, Computer Science
Carter Patterson, Building Construction

About the Clark Scholars Program

As part of our dedication to the engineers of the future, the Foundation established the A. James Clark Scholars Program. The Clark Scholars Program has been implemented at Duke University, George Washington University, Stevens Institute of Technology, Johns Hopkins University, Penn State University, The University of Pennsylvania, University of Virginia, University of Maryland, Vanderbilt University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Virginia Tech. 

The program supports first-generation students and students who are traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields that exhibit strong academic and leadership potential and have financial need. Students enrolled in the program pursue a rigorous curriculum of engineering study, take at least 1-2 business classes, and participate in community service. They also attend leadership seminars and events with leaders in the field. 

About the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation

The A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation partners with organizations to strengthen their ability to meet the needs of the individuals, families, and communities they serve. In keeping with Mr. Clark’s desire to spend down within a decade and maximize the impact of this funding, the Clark Foundation established its current philanthropic model in 2016. The Foundation focuses its philanthropy in three strategic areas: educating future engineering leaders, improving the lives of veterans and their families, and providing members of the DC community the best opportunity to thrive. To learn more, visit: www.https:/clarkfoundationdc.org/.

Media Contact:

Sarah Elbert, Sarah.elbert@clarkfoundationdc.org, (301) 657-7176

September 8, 2022

The A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation welcomes the 120 Clark Scholars who are entering its signature engineering program — the A. James Clark Scholars Program — at 11 of the nation’s top universities this fall. This brings the total enrolled Clark Scholars for the 2022-2023 school year to 457. 

“With hard work and perseverance, these students have become leaders in the classroom and in their communities. The Clark Scholars Program is more than just a scholarship. It’s a comprehensive program that provides broad academic support and life skills that help students traditionally underrepresented in the engineering field thrive in top-tier programs.  We are thrilled to welcome these incoming students as Clark Scholars and look forward to supporting their growth as future engineering leaders,” said Joe Del Guercio, President and CEO of the Clark Foundation.  

The Clark Scholars Program (CSP) opens the opportunity for promising underrepresented students to study engineering at 11 universities, and provides holistic support to enable them to succeed in the classroom and post-graduation.  

The program is endowed at each university and provides financial aid, dedicated advising from faculty and staff and support throughout the year, including a summer bridge program and research and internship opportunities. Clark Scholars form a tight-knit cohort that participate in community service projects, leadership training and business courses to supplement their engineering education. The comprehensive support reflects the values of the program’s namesake, A. James Clark, an engineer, businessman and philanthropist who believed that engineers solve the world’s most difficult problems. 

To date, the Clark Scholars Program has:  

• Committed nearly $175 million at 11 universities in seven states and the District of Columbia. 
• Supported 596 students of which: 
  • 46% are underrepresented in undergraduate engineering programs. Nationally, these students comprise 26% of engineering students.  
  • 50% identify as women. Nationally, 24% of engineering students identify as women.  
  • 51% are eligible for Federal Pell Grants. Nationally, 34% of engineering students are in this category.  
• Graduated students into engineering jobs in the private and public sectors as well as other fields such as finance and healthcare.  

Each year, up to 120 Clark Scholars are selected based on their interest in engineering, financial need, academic accomplishment, community engagement, and leadership skills. The endowed scholarships will support 475 students annually in perpetuity. 

The Clark Scholars community is built even before the semester begins during summer bridge and orientation programs at each partner university. During these sessions, the incoming cohorts participate in course preparation for their freshman year, gain exposure to on campus resources and engage in social activities like escape rooms and ropes courses. University of Maryland incoming Clark Scholar Iman-Louise Mwai shared, “I am leaving here feeling more prepared for when I move back in,” when asked about the impact of the summer program. She went on to share that “The Clark Scholars got very close in the past two weeks.” 

In addition to financial support, the CSP offers a robust community that shepherds the academic and career success of students who are traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields – women, students of color, and first-generation college students, helping to diversify the pipeline of engineering talent. The CSP has demonstrated to universities and other funders that with targeted, holistic support, underrepresented students can thrive in demanding academic programs and contribute to their campus communities.   

Learn more about the Clark Scholars here.  

Following are the names of the newest Clark Scholars and the schools they are attending: 

Duke University
Carson Brantley, Elizabethtown, PA
Dennis Dale, Miramar, FL
Elsie Eghan, Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana
Joyce Hu, Denton, TX
Duong (Dylan) Nguyen, Randwick, Australia
Samuel Obeng, Newark, NJ
Eddie Robinson, Jr., Madison, AL
Giovanni Smith, Irvington, NJ
Kate Stutheit, Davidson, NC
Ella Veysel, Charlottesville, VA
Yan Yang, Ellicott City, MD

George Washington University
Yasmein Ashour, Palos Park, IL
James Ashby, Fredericksburg, VA
Nathan Janssen, Portsmouth, RI
Faris Jiwad, Ashburn, VA
Sarah Levine, Commack, NY
Omar Marharram, Springfield, VA
Ariel Kaskaviqi, New York, NY

Georgia Institute of Technology
Lorika Chery, Port St. Lucie, FL
Christopher Copeland, Stone Mountain, GA
Frank George, Savannah, GA
Riley Fecker, Monroe, NC
Chloe Weed, Severn, MD
Gracie Zhang, Longmont, CO
Carter Watson, Nashville, GA
Jorge Aguilar, Savannah, GA
Sarah Massey, Alpharetta, GA
Raul Olmedo, Belmar, NJ

John Hopkins University
Zainab Almakhedhi, Middletown, DE
Reid Cain, San Diego, CA
Isabella Godfrey, Houston, TX
Taliyah Huang, Hillsborough, CA
Victoria Ines, Clifton Park, NY
Sreyas Kanaparti, Suwanee, GA
Hope Ugwuoke, Orlando, FL
Betania Arce, Homestead, FL
Victoria Popoola, Riverdale, GA
Zeyn Schweyk, Santa Barbara, CA

Stevens Institute of Technology
Thomas Carchietta, Staten Island, NY
Sabrina DePaulis, New Hyde Park, NY
Katelyn Derivolkov, Great Meadows, NJ
Michelle Elias Flores, Lakewood, NJ
Keona Hicks, Tampa, FL
Natalie Kloepping, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
Carlihanny Sanchez, Union City, NJ
Kristina Szumski, Rahway, NJ
Samantha Villanueva, Denville, NJ
Alice Zaytseva, Holmdel, NJ

Penn State University
Aniyah Bunn, Philadelphia, PA
Kenneth Carter, Camden, NJ
Kiyoshi Dixon, Allentown, PA
Lucie Farrell, Camp Hill, PA
Xingyu Meng, Gaithersburg, MD
Justina Nguyen, Charleroi, PA
Bryan Nguyen, Bloomsburg, PA
Kason Patterson, West Bloomfield, MI
Kaleah Tuttle, Thorndale, PA

University of Virginia
Jojo Adoboe, Sachse, TX
Aubrey Trey Alexander, Culpeper, VA
Elizabeth Armstrong, Portland, OR
Stephanie Castro, Mineral, VA
Jamal Chouffani, Falls Church, VA
Marie Clement, Hampton, VA
Jake Fulford, Chesapeake, VA
Hari Gajjala, Brambleton, VA
Hamzeh Hammad, Herndon, VA
Spence Hartman, St. Simons Island, GA
Gordina Hodibert, Boyds, MD
Mira Khan, Chantilly, VA
Mario Lamas, Jr., Weyers Cave, VA
Mauricio Lopez De La Cruz, Woodbridge, VA
Chelsey Ojeda – San Juan, Amelia Court House, VA
Michael Park, Lorton, VA
Corrina Peachey, Elkton, VA
Yatzil Romero Rodriguez, Charlottesville, VA
Ting-Yo Tan, Windsor, CT
Kevin Villalobos, Houston, TX
Leah Winston, Upper Marlboro, MD

University of Pennsylvania
Raphael Kalatzis, Athens, Greece
Gabrielle Lederman, Staten Island, New York
Eric Lee, Irvine, CA
Tiffany Lian, Charleston, WV
Michelle Lin, Charlotte Hall, MD
Juan Lopez, Seymour, CT
Jomal Mathew, Philadelphia, PA
Yanfu Ou, La Grange, IL
Jason Ventura, Morris Plains, NJ
Amehja Williams, Philadelphia, PA

University of Maryland
Hailey Chawla, Silver Spring, MD
Alessandra Contreras, Waldorf, MD
Tinebte Daniel, Silver Spring, MD
Camille Israel, Rockville, MD
Iman-Louise Mwai, Owings Mills, MD
Dylan Ratnayake, Silver Spring, MD
Benjamin Tabor, Middletown, MD
Mikaeel Nur, Rockville, MD
Michael O’Neill, Brookeville, MD
Emma Perez, Baltimore, MD
Miko Siarez, Silver Spring, MD

Vanderbilt University
Michael Carroll, Vallejo, CA
Carolina Huerta Calixto, Brooklyn, NY
Suebin Choi, Fort Lee, NJ
Michael Davis, Farmington Hills, MI
Ctiana (Citiana) Frew, Rockville, MD
Omar Khan, Germantown, MD
Javier Olmos, Houston, TX
Sobenna Onwumelu, Douglasville, GA
Elle (Eleanora) Weaverling, Summertown, TN
Eden (Ivana) Villanueva, San Diego, CA

Virginia Tech University
Nana Agyemang Prempeh, Woodbridge, VA
Shayla Ashton, Warsaw, VA
Caymen Cash, Roanoke, VA
Edom Eshete, Arlington, VA
Lane Eubank, Burgess, VA
Nhi Nguyen, Springfield, VA
Tamthomas (Thomas) Nguyen, Vienna, VA
Valentina Ranz, Woodbridge, VA
Lauren Ruiz-Arenas, Reston, VA
Jaylin Sayles, Max Meadows, VA

About the Clark Scholars Program

As part of our dedication to the engineers of the future, the Foundation established the A. James Clark Scholars Program. The Clark Scholars Program has been implemented at Duke University, George Washington University, Stevens Institute of Technology, Johns Hopkins University, Penn State University, The University of Pennsylvania, University of Virginia, University of Maryland, Vanderbilt University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Virginia Tech.

The program supports first generation students and students who are traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields that exhibit strong academic and leadership potential and have financial need. Students enrolled in the program pursue a rigorous curriculum of engineering study, take at least 1-2 business classes, and participate in community service. They also attend leadership seminars and events with leaders in the field.

About the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation

Expanding opportunity and access to resources that allow individuals and communities to thrive is at the heart of the Clark Foundation’s mission. Reflecting the values of its founders, A. James and Alice B. Clark, the family foundation was created more than 30 years ago to support the Clarks’ belief in addressing today’s challenges by using their resources to achieve the greatest possible impact. 

Together with our partners, we focus on educating engineers, improving the lives of veterans and their families, and providing members of the DC community the best opportunity to thrive.

Media Contact:

Sarah Elbert, Sarah.elbert@clarkfoundationdc.org, (301) 657-7176