Imagine stepping off a plane in a bustling city halfway across the world, armed not just with a backpack but with a burning passion to tackle inequality, climate change, or access to education. Now picture having the financial freedom, mentorship, and global network to turn that vision into reality—all before you've even graduated college. This isn't a dream reserved for the elite; it's the promise of the Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship, a program that's quietly revolutionizing public service one young leader at a time.

On September 23, 2025, former President Barack Obama, alongside Michelle Obama and Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, unveiled the fourth cohort of these "Voyagers"—100 college juniors from across the United States, each poised to ignite change in their communities and beyond. As Obama himself put it in the announcement, these aren't just students; they're

"extraordinary young leaders [who] 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."

It's a powerful reminder that leadership isn't about holding office—it's about handing the mic to those who've been waiting in the wings.

Launched in 2022, the Voyager Scholarship emerged from an unlikely but inspired alliance. Brian Chesky, the tech visionary behind Airbnb's global empire, didn't just write a check—he poured $100 million of his own fortune into the Obama Foundation to fuel this initiative. Why? Because Chesky believes, as he shared in the recent announcement, that

"the Voyager scholarship is all about bridging divides and giving tomorrow’s leaders the perspective and experience they need to take on big challenges."

Teaming up with the Obamas, who've long championed empathy as the cornerstone of progress, the program targets rising juniors committed to public service, offering a lifeline to those who might otherwise drown in student debt or lack the resources to explore bold ideas.

What sets Voyagers apart? It's not just the aid—up to $50,000 in "last-dollar" financial support to cover tuition and living costs for their final two years of college. It's the adventure: a self-designed "Summer Voyage" between junior and senior year, complete with a $10,000 stipend and free Airbnb housing for immersive internships or projects anywhere on the planet. Add in monthly virtual sessions with mentors, a fall summit rubbing shoulders with Obama and Chesky themselves, and a 10-year post-grad travel stipend worth $20,000, and you've got a launchpad for lifelong impact. This isn't charity; it's rocket fuel for the underrepresented voices too often sidelined in the public service arena.

Diversity isn't a buzzword here—it's the program's heartbeat. The 2025-2027 cohort hails from 71 institutions across all 50 states, territories, and even first-timers from places like American Samoa and Guam. These Voyagers are a mosaic of backgrounds, united by their drive to serve. Take the four trailblazers from Vanderbilt University: juniors Anabel Wilson, Ian Matthews, Devin Crawford, and Jason Vadnos. Crawford, a transfer student from Lone Star College, is laser-focused on countering digital manipulation by foreign actors, drawing from his research on youth and society.

"What’s great about the Voyager scholarship is that it values all forms of public service,"

he says, eyeing a future where tech safeguards democracy.

Over at the University of Pennsylvania, juniors Gobhanu Sasankar Korisepati and Ellen Choi are already making waves. Korisepati, a College student, and Choi, from Wharton, will use their awards to dive deeper into community impact projects, from research fellowships to on-the-ground advocacy. And they're not alone—past Voyagers have jetted to 80 countries, tackling everything from Indigenous cultural preservation to women's rights in the Middle East. One alum, Nick Kennedy from the 2023-2025 class, turned his voyage into a crusade for Native heritage, proving that these scholarships don't just fund trips—they forge movements.

These stories echo the cohort's collective spirit: a blend of grit, innovation, and unyielding optimism. As the program hits its third full year of operation (applications for the next round closed April 1, 2025), it's clear the Voyagers are already weaving a web of connections that will outlast any single policy or speech.

This announcement isn't a one-off—it's the latest chapter in Barack Obama's post-presidency playbook, a deliberate pivot from Oval Office power to grassroots empowerment. Since leaving the White House in 2017, Obama has channeled his influence through the Obama Foundation, a nonprofit powerhouse dedicated to "inspiring, empowering, and connecting people to change their world." From the upcoming Obama Presidential Center in Chicago—a green oasis blending museum, library, and community hub—to global programs like the Girls Opportunity Alliance, which equips activists to amplify girls' education worldwide, the Foundation is Obama's love letter to the future.

At its core, this work spotlights underrepresented voices: young people of color, women from marginalized communities, and leaders from overlooked regions. Echoing initiatives like My Brother's Keeper (launched during his presidency to uplift boys and men of color), the Voyager program extends that ethos, ensuring public service isn't a privilege but a possibility for all. Obama's philosophy? As he reflected in past Foundation updates, true change blooms when we "build bridges across communities" and nurture curiosity over division. In a fractured era, it's a radical act of faith in the next generation.

As we stare down escalating global crises—from AI ethics to climate refugees—these 100 new Voyagers aren't just recipients; they're harbingers. They're the ones who'll redesign food systems in rural America, advocate for STEM equity in urban classrooms, and broker peace in forgotten corners of the globe. And with the program's track record—thousands of connections forged, dozens of countries explored—it's proof that investing in diverse, daring youth pays dividends for us all.

If Obama's post-presidency teaches us anything, it's that legacy isn't etched in stone; it's etched in the lives we lift. Want to be part of it? Applications for the 2026-2028 cohort open soon—head to the Obama Foundation site if you're a sophomore with fire in your belly and service in your soul. Or better yet, support a Voyager in your orbit: mentor, amplify, collaborate.

In the words of the man who started it all, change isn't a solo act—it's a symphony. And with voices like these rising, the music's just getting started. What's your verse?