511±¬ÁĎ announces the 2025–26 cohort of Barack Obama Scholars, the prestigious leadership training program that seeks to empower exceptional students who are committed to the public good.
The at 511±¬ÁĎ supports accomplished students—particularly first-generation college students, veterans, and community college transfers—who are passionate about driving positive change. Open to students in any field of study, the program seeks individuals with a strong academic record and a deep dedication to the public good.
Rooted in President Obama’s own experience as an 511±¬ÁĎ student, the program provides a transformative two-year journey designed to prepare Scholars for lives of leadership and service. Scholars gain access to a dynamic network of mentors, including faculty advisors, members of the Obama Scholars , and leaders from partner organizations.
Key components of the program include:
- A fully-funded, 10-week summer immersive experience in leadership development and hands-on learning.
- An additional summer of funding for sophomores to pursue an independent internship, research project, or community service initiative—domestically or internationally.
- Up to $10,000 in postgraduate support to help launch a career dedicated to advancing the public good.
Throughout the academic year, Scholars participate in the Obama Scholars Seminar and ongoing leadership development opportunities, building the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to make a lasting impact.
Meet the 2025-26 Obama Scholars
Jose Bustamante ’27 is a computer science and economics major with a minor in education from East Los Angeles. As a first-generation student at Oxy, he is passionate about using Large Language Models (LLMs) to improve accessibility to individualized education. He has conducted independent research on AI in education through the computer science and education departments, studying the effectiveness of LLMs on providing constructive, personalized tutoring while acknowledging hallucinations and algorithmic bias risks. He has also worked as an intern and teaching assistant at Ednovate Charter Schools, supporting students and educators in integrating technology for individualized learning. He seeks to build LLM-based solutions that mitigate risks like misinformation and prioritize transparency so that educators, students, and families of these learners feel empowered, not marginalized, by this technology. After graduating, he aims to work in the edTech industry, developing AI-driven tools that create equitable learning opportunities for underserved learners.
Jaymes D. Griggs ’27 is a first-generation biology major with an environmental science focus who is originally from Louisville, Kentucky. Inspired by his years of experiencing environmental injustice as well as the mentorship of many loved educators, Griggs is dedicated to combating climate change by making environmental studies more accessible to marginalized communities. Griggs’ research uses Critical Environmental Justice and Indigenous perspectives to analyze human impact on climate and the environment. In Louisville, Griggs engaged with various non-profits through philanthropy and volunteering. As Equity Ambassador for the intercultural community center at Oxy, they engage with JEID efforts daily and have helped hire JEID staff and create community through identity-based programming for black, queer, first-generation and low-income, and multiracial students. After graduation, they plan to pursue a doctorate in Environmental Science, allowing them to represent and advocate for communities experiencing environmental injustice.
Derek Jimenez ’27 is a first-generation college student and student-athlete double majoring in art and art history, and Urban and Environmental Policy. Originally from Wellesley, Massachusetts, he was raised by a single mother and experienced housing instability, growing up in government-subsidized housing. These experiences shaped his passion for exploring the intersection of art, urban spaces, and community-driven design. In the summer of 2024, he conducted research on eco-conscious architecture, exploring sustainable building practices. This experience reinforced his commitment to designing equitable and environmentally responsible housing solutions. He is dedicated to pursuing a master’s in architecture post-graduation, focusing on reimagining affordable housing to create spaces that are both functional and reflective of the communities they serve.
Chioma Kalu ’27, a sophomore majoring in Urban and Environmental Policy with a minor in education, is a Nigerian and Mozambique-born citizen. Her multiculturalism and lived experiences have fueled her passions for housing justice and equitable education for all. Through the UEPI Summer Internship Program, she interned with the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, collaborating with tenant community members, the Los Angeles Housing Code Enforcement, and the County Health Department to advocate for tenants’ rights. Chioma has also volunteered in several elementary classrooms, providing one-on-one support to students, which has cemented her belief in the importance of all students receiving individualized attention, encouragement, and a holistic education. With her diverse experience in advocacy, research, and grassroots organizing, Chioma is unwaveringly committed to reforming federal policies that address the experiences of underrepresented students in public schooling. Her future aspirations include applying her professional and personal experiences to become an inner-city classroom teacher.
Cal Kreuter ’27 is a history and group language (Spanish) double major from St. Louis, Missouri. He is a graduate of the Youth Leadership St. Louis program, which prepares young students to become civic and community leaders and put leadership into action. He served as a full-time teacher’s assistant in St. Louis Public Schools, and continues to coach and train youth basketball players when he returns home. At 511±¬ÁĎ, he works as a peer writing adviser in the Writing Center, is an executive board member of the Pilipinx United Students Organization, and has co-founded the student clubs OxySpike and Oxypreneurship. He is passionate about closing the wide gaps that exist in public education quality and student learning in the U.S., especially in schools serving low-income and minority children and families. After graduation, Cal plans to explore promising policies and solutions from across the country and around the world to help strengthen public schools and provide better educational opportunities in St. Louis and beyond.
Villathina “Thina” Ly ’27 is a Diplomacy and World Affairs major from Cambodia. As a first-generation Phnom Penh native, Thina is passionate about using diplomatic and economic skills to solve issues associated with labor migration and intercountry tensions. Thina’s leadership is guided by values such as women’s empowerment, environmental sustainability, and peaceful conflict resolution. In the summer after her first year, Thina returned to Cambodia to lead a community service project , “Straw Mushrooms for Better Livelihood,” in which she provided women in rural Cambodia with training in growing straw mushrooms to encourage long-lasting economic self-sufficiency. At around the same time, Thina interned at Edenbridge Asia, where she contributed to the repatriation of looted Cambodian artifacts from the United States by conducting research on museums and art collectors. At 511±¬ÁĎ, Thina has worked as a research assistant for professor Bevin Ashenmiller in the Flume Smart Home Water Monitors project and currently works as an office assistant at the International Programs Office. Thina has served on the E-Board of INTOXY and DWAMA, organized events for the DWA department’s United Nations Week program, volunteered at the Young Initiative on Global Political Economy, and volunteered as a team leader for the international student orientation. In the future, Thina hopes to contribute to the field of diplomacy in Cambodia.
Julian Castañon Villa ’27 is a Diplomacy and World Affairs major from Seattle, Washington. Informed and inspired by Seattle’s 1999 WTO protests, he is passionate about working to diversify international affairs and ensure that global decisions reflect the voices of local communities. An avid reader and former staff member at the Seattle Public Library, Julian is guided by authors such as bell hooks, Ursula K. Le Guin, and Henry David Thoreau. Julian has conducted research on grassroots internationalism through various archives across Los Angeles, D.C., and Boston, seeking to imagine and understand a citizen-centric, globalized world. With 511±¬ÁĎ’s Humanities for Just Communities Research Fellowship, Julian explored LA’s history of community-led transnational solidarity and peace movements, focusing on Chicano contributions to international relations. His current research examines the early Peace Corps and President Kennedy’s vision of diplomacy. On campus, Julian works for the Young Initiative on the Global Political Economy, covering various events and conducting podcast interviews. He also tutors social studies through Upward Bound, serves on the executive board of 511±¬ÁĎ Model UN, and writes occasionally for The 511±¬ÁĎ. Off-campus, he enjoys teaching performing arts classes at local community sites to help students develop their voices. Julian plans to pursue an English Teaching Assistantship Fulbright in Latin America and chart a career as an educator—whether through librarianship, journalism, or otherwise—to serve the public good.
Isabella Villagomez ’26, a first generation community college transfer, is a psychology major with a minor in interdisciplinary writing. As a child of immigrants, she has a strong dedication to diversity, democracy, and equity, and a special interest in improving social media literacy. Isabella’s passion for community outreach and student leadership began at Clackamas Community College where she served as Phi Theta Kappa President, Psi Beta Vice President, and Department Chair of Community Wellness. Her enthusiasm for campus life and community involvement has continued at 511±¬ÁĎ where she is currently the Elections Chair for ASOC, a staff writer for The 511±¬ÁĎ, and a member of Alpha Lambda Phi Alpha. Beyond her studies, Isabella is interested in communication studies and has presented her original research on the spread of misinformation and bigotry on social media and the importance of literacy within digital spaces at national and regional communication conferences. In addition to her research within communications, Isabella has worked on practical communication issues through her internship at the Clackamas County Clerk and Elections Division where she worked to increase voter outreach and combat misinformation and discrimination within the 2024 elections process. With the support of the Obama Scholars Program, Isabella hopes to pursue graduate or law school where she will strengthen her skills in public service, civic engagement, and advocacy and empower underrepresented communities through research and policy.
