Dean's Scholarship
Receive an award of up to $15,000 to use toward tuition, research, and conference travel. Connect with other Dean's Scholarship recipients and leaders across the College of Arts & Sciences. Serve as a program representative to USF donor initiatives to help transform the lives of other USF students.
Who are the Recipients?
From policy advocacy to founding non-profits — our recipients believe in creating a more humane, just, and sustainable world.
Cyreine Adams, Writing ’26
Cyreine loves history and political research. Her dream job — a position in print journalism.
Tamara Babic, Biotechnology ’26
Tamara wishes to start her own biotech company that will make new innovations to save people's lives.
Rohit Dalvi, Computer Science ’26
Rohit aspires to work as a Software Engineer in a leading tech firm where he can work on projects that improve people's lives and contribute to making the world a better place.
Caillou Dasalla, Urban & Public Affairs ’26
Caillou hopes to become a California policy practitioner who advocates for the betterment of the state’s governance, public services, and citizen welfare.
Evan Eldermire, Environmental Management ’26
From snorkeling in Missouri with freshwater turtles, to measuring photosynthesis of cacao trees in Arizona — Evan finds great joy in research — specifically in ecology and ecotoxicology.
Mahmoud Itani, International & Development Economics ’26
Mahmoud wishes to grow his expertise in energy efficiency as an economist. He also hopes to secure funding to support the development of affected countries throughout the world.
Emma Juan Salazar, Data Science ’25
After Emma's mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, she became interested in studying bioinformatics. She'd like to work as a data scientist in biomedical research.
Angel Lai, Public Administration ’26
Angel desires to give back to the community that supported her during a time when she needed assistance the most.
Joyce Mok, Sport Management ’26
Joyce wants to work in data analytics within the sports industry, exploring roles in both business analytics and sports analytics.
John Mrlik, Energy Systems Management ’26
John works for a renewable energy company owned by FifthThird Bank, where he drives initiatives aimed at reducing emissions while meeting the bank's sustainability targets. He hopes to become a leader in the banking industry for sustainability.
Ricky Muira, Data Science ’25
Ricky would like to create data-driven applications that have an impact on the world. He wants to develop innovative solutions in business strategy, financial services, e-commerce, and customer analytics.
Emerson Narciso, Museum Studies ’26
Emerson would like to become a museum curator who lays the foundations for conversations held in the public realm.
Mai Nguyen, Applied Economics ’26
Mai hopes to shape and implement policies that drive growth while ensuring consumer protection at a technology company.
Jillian Stewart, Sport Management ’26
Jillian would like to start a non-profit that focuses on providing schools with sports psychologists to help athletes regulate their mental health, overcome injuries, and learn how to reimagine their love of sport post retirement.
Nikita Tran, Global Studies ’26
Nikita aspires to create more programs for vulnerable populations — specifically developing and implementing anti-trafficking policies.
Igor Tregub, Public Leadership ’26
Igor is a member of the Berkeley City Council who advances energy democracy through statewide climate policy advocacy. His ambition is to ensure that those in his community, and communities across the world, can not only survive, but thrive and feel included, affirmed, and listened to.
Pooja Venkatesh, Professional Communication ’26
Pooja's goal is to build partnerships with corporations and NGOs to build trustworthy brands that deliver the change and improvement they promise.
Ariattne Zarate Leon, Migration Studies ’26
Ariattne wants to support migrants and undocumented students gain access to resources. She wants to develop a documentary highlighting the risks and negative experiences migrants face.
Evan Chan ’24
Asia Pacific Studies, MA
Fall Semester Reflections
I was a knowledge consumer; now, as a graduate student, I find myself in the exciting role of a knowledge producer, and it's been a deeply inspiring and empowering journey.”
Evan Chan ’24
Asia Pacific Studies, MA
Become a Leader in Your Field
“With a community of nearly 1,000 graduate students across our 19 programs in the College of Arts & Sciences, we rely on our dedicated faculty and staff to enhance and refine our programs to suit the current trends in scholarship, research, and professional practice. Our Dean’s Scholarship recipients, less than 5% of the graduate population, provide an additional spark, with their creativity and ingenuity, profiling excellence both in study and in their future professions. While there are employment opportunities in industry, the technology sector, and in public service, we help to position our graduates to become leaders in their field, proudly carrying our university mission of social justice into all of the professions.”
Are You Eligible?
The Dean’s Scholarship recognizes a select group of incoming students in graduate programs, who the admission committees believe will make a substantial contribution to the programs. Recipients are selected based on merit. To be considered for the Dean's Scholarship, students must apply to their program by the program's priority deadline.