The Obamas and Brian Chesky Welcome Fourth Cohort of Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service Recipients
September 23, 2025 at 9:00 AM CDT
CHICAGO – President and Mrs. Obama and Brian Chesky, Airbnb co-founder and CEO, today announced the fourth cohort of Voyager Scholarship recipients, comprising 100 college juniors who plan to pursue a career in public service. Building on the momentum of the first three cohorts, the newest class of Voyagers carries forward The Obama Foundation’s mission to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world.
The Voyager Scholarship is supported by a $100 million personal contribution from Chesky to The Obama Foundation. The two-year program provides students who otherwise would not be able to pursue their public service passion with financial aid to help alleviate the burden of college debt, an immersive work-travel experience, and access to mentors and leaders from across The Obama Foundation network.
The new cohort of 100 students represents 34 states and territories, and 71 colleges and universities, with students from Arkansas and Idaho selected for the scholarship for the first time. First-generation college students make up 56 percent of the cohort, reflecting a broad pipeline of talent from families and communities new to higher education. This reach brings a rich mix of perspectives and experiences that will strengthen each Voyager’s service on campus and in their communities.
“Michelle, Brian, and I created the Voyager Scholarship to support a generation of changemakers with a passion for public service,” said President Obama. “Over the first three cohorts, we have seen remarkable drive, curiosity, and a generous spirit of teamwork, as students poured themselves into the work on their campuses and in their communities. Today, as we welcome our fourth cohort of Voyagers, I’m more certain than ever that our future is guided by bright and determined leaders.”
“The Voyager scholarship is all about bridging divides and giving tomorrow’s leaders the perspective and experience they need to take on big challenges,” said Chesky. “By combining mentorship and travel to new places, we hope these students get a head start with the tools needed to drive impact in the future."
The scholarship extends beyond financial aid by offering every student $10,000 and free housing in Airbnb listings for their Summer Voyage. Designed by each student to support their unique goals and aspirations, the Summer Voyage is a work-travel experience taken between the Voyagers’ junior and senior year of college that offers enriching connections to new communities and cultures, grounded in students’ interest in public service.
Voyagers in the 2024-2026 cohort, now returning from their Summer Voyage, explored more than 61 countries and 24 U.S. states and territories.
“I’ve seen firsthand that lasting change comes when young people turn their vision into action,“ said Valerie Jarrett, CEO of The Obama Foundation. “I’m thrilled to welcome the 2025–2027 class of Voyagers. These 100 extraordinary young leaders embody a curiosity about the world along with a desire to make a positive change within it, tackling challenges from food security to gender equity in STEM.”
The new class will also have opportunities to connect with the growing Voyager network to exchange insight, refine projects, and build relationships that endure.
The Obamas and Chesky are passionate about the transformative effect that exposure to cultures and experiences around the world can have on young people. In addition to travel and personalized career coaching, Voyagers meet virtually each month to share insights, discuss challenges, and foster relationships within their cohort.
For more information about the Voyager Scholarship visit obama.org/programs/voyager-scholarship/.
About The Obama Foundation
The Obama Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world. That mission begins on the South Side of Chicago, where the Foundation is building the Obama Presidential Center. But that approach extends to all our work, whether it’s holding leadership training sessions in communities throughout the U.S., bringing local leaders together in countries around the world, working to support the global education of girls, or ensuring young men of color have pathways to opportunity. From every corner of the globe, our program participants are working together to address some of the biggest challenges of our time—from renewing our democratic institutions, protecting LGBTQ+ rights, fighting climate change, and so much more.
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Contact: Emily Bittner, press@obama.org