Knight-Hennessy Annual Report 2023-24

Letter from the Directors

In June, Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS) celebrated 73 members of our community as they finished their time as scholars, for a total of 274 completed scholars since our inception in 2018. And with 89 new scholars in the 2024 cohort, we now have more than 500 Knight-Hennessy scholars on our planet.

Citing these sorts of statistics is a Stanford tradition, but they do not capture the spirit and substance of what KHS is all about. In the very beginning, when we were brainstorming what eventually became Knight-Hennessy Scholars, we thought about three things: Could we really find potential scholars who could thrive academically, had a commitment to the greater good, and would be vibrant and contributing members of our community? Could we really add value and help our scholars on their leadership journeys? And, as we launched scholars into the world, would we feel that we had invested wisely, made good choices, and that they had used their time well?

We need not have worried. Scholars found KHS and applied, bringing their wealth of experiences in different cultures and environments, their diversity of intellectual backgrounds and interests, their respect, appreciation, friendship, and love for their fellow scholars, and their commitment to making the world better. Many of them overcame extraordinary hurdles to come to graduate school at Stanford, but they persevered and their resilience and empathy were reinforced.

The King Global Leadership Program at KHS has strengthened and showcased our scholars’ creativity, their communication and collaboration skills, and their determination to contribute to creating positive change in the world. Happily, our ceaseless optimism for the ability of young people to bend the arc of human society toward goodness has been continually renewed.

As we rapidly approach our initial goal of welcoming 100 new scholars a year, we are energized—our program is robust, the scholars are actively engaged, and we are excited to see our graduates demonstrate a multicultural perspective and a commitment to the greater good.

Thank you for your partnership and many contributions to Knight-Hennessy Scholars.

John L. Hennessy
Shriram Family Director

Tina L. Seelig
Executive Director

Knight-Hennessy Scholars

Inspiring Leaders

Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS) is a multidisciplinary, multicultural graduate fellowship program spanning all seven schools at Stanford University. All Knight-Hennessy scholars receive up to three years of financial support to pursue graduate studies at Stanford while engaging in experiences that prepare them to be visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders who address complex challenges facing the world. KHS programming complements scholars’ graduate studies and prepares them to take on leadership roles in academia, industry, government, nonprofits, and the community at large.

As the largest, university-wide, fully endowed graduate fellowship in the world, KHS is situated on the Stanford campus in Denning House, its dedicated convening space nestled in a grove of live oak trees. With its seven leading schools on a single campus, Stanford is a world-class institution with a strong legacy of innovation.

How Scholars Benefit

Through KHS, scholars have an opportunity to elevate their Stanford graduate school experience. We consistently hear that KHS is a transformative time for them, due to:

Community

Scholars join a community of people representing a vast array of cultures, perspectives, and experiences. They learn from one another, foster meaningful connections, and build lasting friendships.

Experience

The opportunities KHS offers enrich scholars’ academic studies and personal development. The programming inspires deep introspection, self-understanding, and, when combined with graduate school, prepares scholars to address the most challenging issues facing our world.

Leadership Development

All programming is built upon the KHS Leadership Model, designed to promote and develop the traits and behaviors of leaders who possess a strong multidisciplinary and multicultural perspective, as well as a commitment to the greater good and the tools to drive meaningful change.

Transformation

Exposing scholars to new people, ideas, and ways of thinking serves as a catalyst for personal growth and transformation—inspiring scholars to dream bigger.

Impact

KHS scholars complement their field of study with the essential skills and perspective to scale their contribution. KHS's unique environment fosters deeper and broader thinking about pressing issues and solutions. When scholars bring that learning and perspective to their chosen field, they are equipped to make a significant impact in the world.

Scholar Close-Up

Bruno Lam

MS in Learning Design and Technology, MS in Environment and Resources, 2023 cohort
Richmond, British Columbia, Canada

What inspired you to apply to Stanford and Knight-Hennessy?

I wanted to be a part of an environment that was conducive to innovation. I was also drawn to the excellent academics and research at the Graduate School of Education. As for Knight-Hennessy, I thought, “Wow, what an amazing opportunity this would be!” and, in equal parts, I doubted myself. It was the summer of 2022 when I realized it was my last chance to apply. This realization was timely, as I was at a point in my career where I was thinking about deepening my expertise in education.

What do you intend to do when you graduate, and how do you plan to bring your academic background into your everyday practice?

I think coming from a finance investment background I recognize the role of financial capital in helping EdTech companies grow, but on the other hand I want to get closer to the action and help identify what certain learners need, help design the product, and actually see it out in the world.

How has Knight-Hennessy impacted your experience here at Stanford?

An amazing aspect of KH that I appreciate is that, on any given day, you could be speaking to a future neurosurgeon or a future policymaker. There are also people working on interesting, intersectional problems. Knight-Hennessy has made it easier for me to talk to other people outside of my silo, and it has introduced me to an invaluable community of people who are pursuing incredible ideas.

You can have the greatest idea, but if you can’t communicate it well, it's basically worth nothing. I love Knight-Hennessy’s focus on the power of storytelling. Building that muscle around concise, persuasive, effective storytelling is such an important skill to have.

Our Scholars

In May, KHS announced its 2024 cohort of 89 new scholars, the largest to date, bringing the total scholar count to 513. The seventh cohort comprises students from 30 countries who will pursue degrees in 44 graduate programs across all seven graduate schools at Stanford. Among the 48 different U.S. institutions the admitted scholars attended, 18 were new to KHS this year. From the 12 institutions outside the U.S., four were new. As we welcome the 2024 cohort of 89 scholars to KHS, we are approaching our aim of adding 100 scholars per year at a steady state.

All Scholars: 2018-2024 Cohorts

513

scholars to date

45%

hold a non-U.S. passport

51%

of U.S. citizen/resident scholars identify as a person of color

17%

first-generation college graduate

107

Stanford degree programs

Master's 37%, Doctoral 41%, Professional 47%

Degree totals unequal to 100% due to dual degrees

countries of citizenship

of U.S. citizen/resident scholars have served in the U.S. military

2024 Scholars

47%

hold a passport from a non-U.S. country

scholars in cohort

Stanford degree programs

Master's 17%, Doctoral 47%, Professional 47%

Degree totals unequal to 100% due to dual degrees

Business: 18%
Education: 5%
Engineering: 24%
Humanities and Sciences: 16%
Law: 19%
Medicine: 20%
Sustainability: 6%

22%

first-generation college graduate

countries of citizenship

11%

of U.S. citizen/resident scholars have served in the U.S. military

48%

among U.S. citizens/residents
identify as a person of color

Degrees from

institutions

new Stanford degrees pursued by the 2024 cohort

King Global Leadership Program

The King Global Leadership Program (KGLP) is central to the KHS experience. Scholars participate in a wide range of workshops, lectures, projects, and other opportunities designed around the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Leadership Model, which describes the traits, behaviors, and goals for scholars. These offerings complement scholars’ graduate school education, helping prepare them to address the most challenging issues facing our world.

KHeystone Projects

In November, scholars pitched ideas for a KHeystone Project at the annual Ideas Festival and then formed 31 multidisciplinary teams around shared interests. Throughout the year, the KHS team supported scholars with coaching and mentors and provided workshops to help teams develop their ideas. In May, teams shared what they learned and accomplished at the annual KHeystone Project Showcase. This year, projects addressed issues such as access to scientific research, education inequity, mental health, and peacemaking in tribal communities.

KHS Global Travel/Study Program

The KHS Global Travel/Study Program is a highlight for many scholars, immersing them in different cultures around the world with trips led and curated by Stanford faculty. This past year, scholars traveled to Mongolia with Professor Undraa Agvaanluvsan, Taiwan with Professor Kharis Templeman, and Alaska with Professor Rob Dunbar.

Retreats

Retreats provide scholars with the highly valued opportunity to form new friendships, deepen existing ones, and learn new leadership skills in a relaxed environment. As with each new academic year, the new cohort of scholars gathered for an autumn retreat in Pacific Grove, California. In January, scholars traveled to Soquel,, California, for the winter retreat. And in April, scholars returned to Stanford Sierra Camp at Fallen Leaf Lake, near Lake Tahoe, for the spring retreat.

Curiosity Corner

On Wednesdays during lunch throughout the academic year, scholars attend Curiosity Corner. These gatherings feature a Stanford professor or expert guest addressing a topic related to the KHS quarterly theme and are designed to spark discussion and debate. This past year’s themes were The Future of Education, Leading a Fulfilling Life, and Human Rights Around the World.

McMurtry Leadership Lectures

Quarterly McMurtry Leadership Lectures feature distinguished guest speakers who engage with scholars throughout their talks. This past year, speakers included Dr. Anthony Jack on diversity and inclusion in higher education, author Suleika Jaouad on living a meaningful life amid uncertainty, and Kwame Anthony Appiah, the New York Times ethicist.

Events

Workshops, lectures, meetings, and group activities are central to the scholar experience, helping develop leadership skills while building community. This year the KHS team managed 156 events for scholars. In addition, scholars developed another 152 events of their own design. There were also several large, special events that were developed by a partnership between scholars and the KHS team, including a Persian new year celebration, an indigenous leadership perspectives panel, Dr. Deqo Mohamed on health care and rights protection in Africa, and NASA astronaut Warren Hoburg on humanity’s future in space.

Two women working on their laptops in a lounge.

Scholar Close-Up

Sam Potter

JD in Law, 2022 cohort
Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, United States

What led you to Knight-Hennessy Scholars?

I knew since undergrad that I wanted to go to law school, and that’s when I learned about Knight-Hennessy Scholars. When I was at Oxford University for my MPhil degree, we had colleges where students in all degree programs could learn from each other, and I found that I really valued being in a space that wasn’t just people in the same discipline. KHS is the only fellowship like this that exists for law degree programs. I jumped at the opportunity to join a multidisciplinary community like KHS, since I had previously seen how valuable being part of a multidisciplinary community can be.

How is KHS shaping your Stanford experience?

KHS is core to my time here at Stanford. My degree program is very demanding, but I’m prioritizing weaving Knight-Hennessy programming into that experience. Law school can be isolating, but KHS has provided easy, comfortable opportunities for interactions with people in degree programs I would otherwise not talk to. I study space law, which is highly dynamic and, at times, technical. For example, I was working with NASA on a legal question about the delineation of air space vs. outer space. I quickly learned how technical that question is despite its seemingly legal simplicity. I was able to talk to scholars in electrical engineering and theoretical physics to get a crash course in complex mathematics that gave me a much better understanding of a legal problem.

What has it meant for you to be in a multicultural, multidisciplinary community?

I spend a lot of time listening to scholars with backgrounds that are different from mine, and have learned so much from them. As a member of the U.S. military, I’ve had really amazing, respectful conversations with people I wouldn't have known otherwise. In becoming friends with scholars from places like Israel, Sudan, and Syria, I’ve been able to understand where their beliefs and perspectives come from in ways I never could have accessed without the community in KHS. Also, I hope I've been able to influence their understanding of military service in the process.

One of the things that surprised me about being a KH scholar is how fun it is. It’s fun, it’s energizing, and it’s hopeful.

Hear What Our Scholars Have To Say

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars community is a microcosm of what the real world is and what it has the potential to be. The community is so diverse—not just in terms of where people come from, their backgrounds, or what they study, but in their different forms of thinking, their different ways of relating with the world.

Karishma Bhagani, PhD in Theater and Performance Studies

The friendships that you develop while being here open up a new world of opportunities. Knight-Hennessy was the catalyst to realize that issues are much broader than what I had imagined.

Cyrus Buckman, MD, MBA

I really believe that Knight-Hennessy is one of the keys to catapult me into the next level of public service and business that I want to pursue.

Ahmad Nasir, JD in Law, MBA in Business

I’ve learned that leadership is not just some sort of endowment. It's a skill that's developed, and focusing on the craft of developing skills is a process that I'm going to continue indefinitely, thanks to my Knight-Hennessy experience.

Vidal Arroyo, PhD in Biophysics

When I came to Knight-Hennessy it became clear that for every problem that’s facing the world today, there is someone at Knight-Hennessy who is deeply passionate about it and currently working on it.

Jocelyn Ricard, PhD in Neurosciences

I moved to California knowing nobody except one person from my hometown, and this community of people lit up my world in a way that I can't even explain to be quite honest. The friendships that I've made here just transcend anything I've ever experienced. I literally could not have finished medical school without Knight-Hennessy Scholars.

Nadine Jawad, MD

Highlights of Scholar Achievements

Alma Cooper

MS in Statistics, 2023 cohort

Alma is challenging traditional notions of what it means to be a scholar, an Army officer, and a pageant winner, having achieved all three when she was named Miss USA in August. As a Stanford data scientist, she is researching food insecurity, health, and nutrition; as Miss USA, she is providing inspiration for surpassing perceived limitations and living a life of service.

Aadith Moorthy

PhD in Materials Science and Engineering, 2018 cohort

Aadith (2018 cohort), PhD in Materials Science and Engineering, founded Boomitra, a soil carbon marketplace that rewards farmers for sustainable land management practices. Boomitra was awarded the £1 million Earthshot Prize by HRH Prince William in 2023 to help scale its solutions and accelerate its growth and impact. In 2024, TIME magazine named Boomitra as one of the 100 Most Influential Companies, and Aadith as one of the Next 100 Most Influential People in the World. As of April, 150,000 farmers have removed 10 million metric tons of CO2 from the atmosphere with help from Boomitra.

Aya Mouallem

PhD in Electrical Engineering, 2020 cohort

Aya is creating inclusive pathways to engineering education for marginalized learners. Over the past few years, Aya has launched and led multiple award-winning initiatives and projects, including All Girls Code and LebNet Tech Fellows, all with a goal of scaling access to STEM literacy, especially in the Global South. In August, her paper on enhancing support for blind and low-vision engineering learners won the Best Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Paper Award at the 2024 American Society for Engineering Education Conference.

Joe Nail

MA in International Policy, MBA in Business, 2023 cohort

Joe was still an undergraduate student when he founded Lead for America to help college graduates serve and lead in the communities they call home. To date, Lead for America has created more than 400 paid full-time fellowships across more than 40 states. This past summer, Joe launched Project 1310 to raise awareness and funds for his new veteran fellowship program by running 50 marathons (1,310 miles) spanning all 50 U.S. states. With the new program, Joe aims to help 50 veterans a year transition out of the military and back into civilian life by working with elected officials and business executives for one year.

Scholar Close-Up

Rodrigo Ruz Cuen

MS in Electrical Engineering, 2022 cohort
Querétaro, México

How has Knight-Hennessy made a difference for you in your field of study?

Once I got to Stanford, I allowed myself to explore and to learn from other fields that I have no idea about. That led me to realize that the kind of impact I want to have can be done by learning as much as possible in the semiconductor industry. And I think a lot of this realization and exploration was enabled by my conversations with Knight-Hennessy scholars who are doing their PhDs—and are more advanced in their studies right now—or scholars who are rotating in different laboratories and with whom I'm able to talk with about the kind of work they are doing.

The conversations that happen with scholars in Denning House have given me a larger and deeper vision on some of the decisions I’m making. As a scholar, if you're changing fields or exploring a new lab, you will always have a bigger community that can help you navigate through those decisions.

What are some benefits you’ve received from being a KH scholar?

Some of us come from backgrounds where we grew up in a very homogeneous society. So moving to the U.S. and immediately having such a diverse international community that embraces you culturally and recognizes your background as something valuable within this hugely diverse space makes the experience of moving to the U.S. very special.

This community welcomes this, allowing us to contribute our own perspectives to collaborate with others in tackling some fun problems together. That really gets nurtured in our community.

It's been extremely special coming into Knight-Hennessy where our backgrounds and perspectives, however different, are recognized and valued. We’re appreciated for the experiences we've had and the paths we've walked to arrive at this place.

The Denning House Art Collection

From inception, the arts were deemed essential to the Knight-Hennessy scholar experience, starting with Denning House itself. The house boasts a vibrant and growing collection of art from significant global artists who are making an impact in the arts, in the same way the scholars will make an impact in their respective fields. The art also provides a daily reminder and visceral experience of the innovation and distinctiveness of Denning House and its role in scholars’ day-to-day lives.

In March, KHS installed Space Baskets at the entrance to Denning House for all to enjoy both from within and outside of the house. This installation of multicolored papier mâché bowls dyed in earth tones evoke clay, the material for which interdisciplinary artist Rose B. Simpson is best known. Each basket is marked with a black plus sign, an indigenous symbol related to the guiding light and protection of directional stars. In Pueblo culture, baskets are often given as gifts of gratitude, becoming symbols of generosity and reciprocity when displayed in a recipient’s home. Simpson's sculptures are informed by traditional indigenous ceramic techniques passed down through generations of women potters in her family.

Students in front of Space Baskets installation

Scholars at Art KHnight

Works of art by Haegue Yang and Nick Cave

For its second annual “Art KHnight,” KHS again welcomed the community into Denning House to enjoy the space, the collection, and music performed by scholars. Scholars from multiple disciplines acted as docents to help educate guests on the individual works of art.

Due to the success of weekly art tours for the public, started earlier in 2023, we added 80 tours throughout the academic year, inviting more than 1,000 guests into Denning House to enjoy its architectural beauty, stunning views, and world-class art collection.

Annual Report

Letter from the Directors

Inspiring Leaders