Chicago Booth Welcomes New Cohort of Neubauer Civic Scholars

Seven emerging social sector leaders will join the University of Chicago Booth School of Business as part of the Civic Scholars Program this fall.

The new students will join 22 current students and 49 alumni of the program designed for rising leaders dedicated to careers in social impact.

Since 2016, Chicago Booth’s Civic Scholars Program, established with support from the Neubauer Family Foundation, has offered scholarships to Booth MBA students who work in the government or nonprofit sectors.

Each fall, the highly selective program admits a cohort of students—known as Neubauer Civic Scholars—who discuss and apply their MBA learnings to the social sector together, support one another’s leadership journey, and offer unique perspectives within the larger Booth community.

In addition to the core curriculum, Neubauer Civic Scholars receive specialized programming, dedicated faculty directors, and opportunities to engage with civic leaders.

“I am delighted to welcome the newest cohort of Neubauer Civic Scholars. The Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation’s partnership with the Civic Scholars Program equips emerging social sector leaders with cutting-edge business skills to lead with confidence in a very fluid world,” said George Wu, the John P. and Lillian A. Gould Professor of Behavioral Science and faculty codirector of the Civic Scholars Program. “Chicago Booth’s multidisciplinary approach, in particular, allows students to tailor the program to their individual interests and needs.”

The Civic Scholars Program is designed to build strong networks with its cohort model and dedicated programming. The program includes retreats and roundtable discussions that facilitate experiential and community-based learning, hone leadership skills, establish cross-social sector connections, and seed future collaboration.

The scholarship includes a commitment to continue working in the social sector after graduation.

“I continue to be impressed by each cohort of Neubauer Civic Scholars and their dedication to better lives in many different ways,” said Pradeep K. Chintagunta, the Joseph T. and Bernice S. Lewis Distinguished Service Professor of Marketing and faculty codirector of the Civic Scholars Program. “The Civic Scholars Program enriches the Booth community by bringing in fresh insights while continuing to build a strong, and growing, community of social sector leaders. I am excited to hear from our newest cohort and to support them as they forge new paths.”

To learn more about the Civic Scholars Program, visit ChicagoBooth.edu/civicscholars. You can also nominate individuals for the scholarship program through this online form or share this pdf. For more information, contact program director Wai-Sinn Chan.

Congratulations and a warm welcome to the incoming 2024 class of Neubauer Civic Scholars.

Neubauer Civic Scholars

Geeyoung (Erica) Choi, New York
Program Director, Association to Benefit Children

Selamawit (Selam) Gebre, Denver
Senior Director of Strategy and Impact, RESCHOOL

Min A. Kim, Chicago
Deputy Director, KAN-WIN

Alexis (Lexie) Lehman, Birmingham
Associate Director, Economic Development, Southern Research Institute

Carly Oosten, San Antonio
Director of Operations, Handspun Hope

Anajah Philogene, Chicago
Executive Director Greater Chicago-NWI, Teach for America

Rachel Zuckerman, Washington, DC
Special Advisor for Implementation, Office of the Administrator, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)