The Schwarzman Scholars program seeks to train future leaders to meet the challenges of the 21st century and beyond by preparing scholars to understand China, its role in global trends and their role as future leaders. The fellowship provides Scholars the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and professional networks through a one-year Master’s degree at Tsinghua University in Beijing.
The program’s unique combination of coursework, cultural immersion, and personal and professional development equips Schwarzman Scholars with a well-rounded understanding of China’s changing role in the world, critically important to leadership in any field in the 21st century.
The Scholars selected this year represent the eleventh cohort of Schwarzman Scholars, which is made up of a class of 150 Schwarzman Scholars from 40 countries and 83 universities from around the world, including five Columbians!
Schwarzman Scholars will engage in a graduate curriculum focused on leadership, global affairs, and China studies. They are taught by leading faculty from Tsinghua as well as from many globally recognized international universities, and attend lectures delivered by global thought leaders. Scholars gain unique exposure to China through mentoring, internships, and experiential learning.
CONGRATULATIONS TO Columbia's 2026 - 2027 SCHWARZMAN SCHOLARS!
2026 Schwarzman Awardees, clockwise from top left: Aili Hou, CC'24; Kenny Zhu, CC'25; Chengxi Jiang, SIPA'25; Stephanie Li, SIPA'26.
Kenny CongZhi Zhu is from Omaha, Nebraska and graduated Columbia College in 2025 with a degree in Financial Economics and Political Science. Currently, he serves as an Analyst at J.P. Morgan, where he focuses on driving digital transformation through data analytics and AI integration. During his time at Columbia, Kenny was a two-term President of Columbia Lion Dance, where he led and organized performances that shared Chinese heritage with diverse audiences across New York City. He also served as a Teaching Assistant in the Economics Department and a Residential Adviser. Beyond campus, Kenny co-founded Money Talks, a United Nations-recognized initiative focused on empowering underserved high school students with essential financial skills. As a Schwarzman Scholar, Kenny aims to merge his financial knowledge with his experiences in America’s heartland, bringing a pragmatic Midwestern perspective to global policymaking and sustainable economic development.
Yufei ‘Stephanie’ Li is a 2026 graduate of the School of International and Public Affairs, where she earned a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Climate, Energy, and Environment (CEE). She will join the Schwarzman Scholars Class of 2027 in pursuit of a Master of Global Affairs.
Chengxi Jiang graduated from the School of International and Public Affairs in 2025 with a Master of Public Administration. Originally from Dalian, China, Chengxi is dedicated to exploring the interplay between industrial policy and emerging technologies. She is currently a Senior Associate in Global Chemicals Equity Research at Jefferies in New York, and previously, conducted equity and policy research at Goldman Sachs and Xinhua News Agency. Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, Chengxi is deeply committed to social impact and has held leadership roles with organizations including Learning Enterprises, the Red Cross, and A Better Community
For more information about the Schwarzman, please reach out to Undergraduate Research and Fellowships.