Colin Lopez has been named a semi-finalist for the Schwarzman Scholarship.
Colin Lopez, a recent West Virginia University graduate, has been named a semi-finalist for the Schwarzman Scholarship, a program that prepares global leaders through a one-year master’s program at Tsinghua University in Beijing, one of China’s most prestigious universities.
Lopez graduated in May with a degree in international studies, with an emphasis on international business. He is preparing to go to Amman, Jordan, next month on a Fulbright Scholarship to conduct research with the United Nations Refugee Agency in healthcare services.
"Considering China’s position in global politics, especially in global health, a firm understanding of China is essential in coordinating effective global health system change,” Lopez said. “Studying in China as a Schwarzman Scholar will allow me to learn from leaders in global health policy from around the world and better understand China's approach to addressing issues in global health. I hope to develop the perspective and insight necessary to foster collaboration between the U.S. and China in improving health systems around the world."
“The Schwarzman is a new scholarship that has been called the Rhodes of China, and is marketed as a scholarship for the 21st century,” said Amy Cyphert, director of ASPIRE. “Colin’s leadership in the global health arena makes him a natural fit for this scholarship, which seeks students who are interested in better understanding other cultures and who are well-positioned to anticipate and act on emerging global trends.”
The Schwarzman Scholars is the first scholarship created to respond to today’s geopolitical landscape. The first students were admitted in 2016. The program was created by American financier Stephen Schwarzman, who endowed the program with a $100 million gift. Students live and study together on the campus of Schwarzman College, a newly built, state-of-the-art facility, where all classes are taught in English. Students pursue degrees in one of three disciplines: public policy, economics and business, or international studies.
An advanced Arabic speaker, Lopez also studied in Jordan and Morocco on a Boren Scholarship and a Critical Language Scholarship. He also speaks Spanish and has studied abroad in Brazil and participated in a Global Public Health internship in Panama.
The Lancaster, Pennsylvania, native was a student in the Honors College. He is the founder and past president of the WVU Global Health Brigade, a student organization focused on combating preventable diseases in developing countries. His numerous awards include being named to the Order of Augusta, one of the top eight graduating seniors out of a class of 4,500, and receiving the Paul and Jean Driver Award for the one WVU undergraduate who is committed to improving the lives of others and involved in social justice and civic activism.
He will be interviewed for the award in New York City in early November.
-WVU-
lr/10/25/17
CONTACT: Amy Cyphert, director of
ASPIRE
aspire@mail.wvu.edu 304.293.6353
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