The Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service was founded by the Obamas and Brian Chesky, Co-Founder and CEO of Airbnb to support undergraduate students who serve their communities, have a passion for helping others, and can demonstrate an expansive view of what’s possible through public service. Students receive up to $25,000 per year in financial aid their junior and senior years, as well as stipends. This year, the University of Michigan has three Voyager Scholars.
Christian Loredo-Duran is a student in the Ford School of Public Policy with minors in Music, Latinx Studies, and Law, Justice, & Social Change.
He has interned with non-profit organizations, the Michigan Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and White House Initiatives. On campus, he served as the Administrative Director of Latinx student organization La Casa and is the President of Mi Casa Es Tu Casa.
Christian believes that advocating for migrant farmworkers in the U.S. is essential to protect the livelihood of immigrant communities and hopes Voyager will help him build a bridge between immigrants and policymakers. After graduating, Christian plans to immerse himself in policymaking and activism. He will pursue a JD/MPP degree to ensure he is equipped with the tools to advocate alongside his community.
Christian notes, “The Voyager Scholarship application process allowed me to reflect on the importance of community within activism. I gained a deeper understanding of how to connect my career in public service to immigration and education policy reform.”
He would like to thank his parents, Juan and Cisabeida, his family and community and credits their dedication, resilience, and perseverance as his motivation to pursue a career in public service.
Eric Veal Jr. is double majoring in Political Science and Secondary Education with a minor in Public Policy.
The opportunities the Voyager affords give him the ability to further amplify the ideas and reforms that he hopes to one day implement. Eric plans to further his work on equitable educational reform and policy and he applied for this opportunity due to his strong drive for public service. Along with his recent Voyager win, Eric is also a Coca-Cola Scholar.
Eric notes that the application process was a deeply personal journey requiring him to contemplate what public service means to him and how he could contribute to his country. He encourages all second-year students interested in public service to apply, stating, “Public service is a unique concept for each individual, and your perspective is valuable. If you have a vision to improve our world and are ready to play your part, that is your form of public service.”
He would like to thank his friends, mentors, and family, as well as the many public servants he has had the opportunity to observe and study.
Lin Yang is a Neuroscience major with a minor in History of Law and Policy.
He applied for Voyager because he wanted to meet more people and experience what the field of health law and tech had to offer on a global scale. Lin hopes to be among those who can bridge the gap between these two fields so research can continue both efficiently and ethically amidst the recent pace of development in health sciences.
Lin was also a 2024 OCA National Summer Intern and he plans to pursue a JD with a specialization in health law after completing his undergraduate studies.
When asked about the impact of receiving Voyager, Lin notes, “Receiving this scholarship has opened so many new avenues, and now I’m overwhelmed in the best way possible of what to do with those. Commit to the choices you make, and the unexpected can happen.”
