Pelham Scholars Program
BECOME AN ENGINEER IN SERVICE TO SOCIETY
Pelham Scholars are socially-conscious engineers seeking to expand their education to solve society’s most pressing problems. We’re looking for students who share our commitment to diversity—in people and ideas. Pelham Scholars receive one-on-one mentorship with industry professionals and an education that prepares students for a successful and rewarding career as an industry thought leader. As a Pelham Scholar, you’ll be joining a close-knit campus community of faculty, staff, students and industry leaders who are invested in your success.
At the graduate level, being a Pelham Scholar provides you two semesters of free tuition. Undergraduate Pelham Scholars are not funded, but actively participate in the program’s DEI-themed events, career coaching, and mentoring. Undergraduate Scholars who stay in CEE for their Master’s degree are automatically considered for Pelham funding during their graduate degree when applying to begin their graduate studies in the fall semester. Please note that there is no winter review of graduate-level applications for the Pelham Scholars Program. Master’s students who begin their degree in January will be automatically considered for Pelham funding the following fall semester.
Who was Frederick Pelham?
The first Black Michigan engineering graduate established a sturdy reputation for designs that last.
AS A PELHAM SCHOLAR, You Gain:
- Two semesters of fully funded tuition at the graduate level
- One-on-one industry mentorship
- Networking with industry sponsors and learning about their values and culture, as you explore opportunities for potential internships and employment
- A people-centered lens into your engineering practice in an effort to close societal gaps
- Access to faculty, department and professional leadership that broadens opportunities
- A chance to interact regularly with your Pelham cohort and participate in meetings, workshops and networking opportunities
“As a Pelham Scholar, I felt more connected to the CEE community. I joined the program in my sophomore year, right after I transferred from LSA. I initially joined the program feeling somewhat lost within engineering, and I hoped to forge connections within the department and perhaps make some friends.
The program exceeded my expectations, helping me feel part of a supportive community. It offers students networking opportunities and workshops aimed at fostering personal and professional growth— helping us students succeed academically.
I’m really grateful for this community and I truly think it helped set me up for success as a CEE student.”
–Xiao Xiao Wen, Pelham Scholar 2022-2023
What are we looking for?
The Pelham Scholars Program is open to newly admitted students in a graduate degree program who:
- Have a record of superior academic achievement (e.g., grade point average, honors or other designation);
- Are U.S. citizens, permanent residents or undocumented students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA)
And meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Come from an educational, cultural or geographic background that is underrepresented in graduate study in CEE in the United States or at the University of Michigan;
- Have demonstrated a sustained commitment to diversity in the academic, professional or civic realm through their work experience, volunteer engagement or leadership of student or community organizations. By commitment to diversity, we mean efforts in the U.S. to reduce social, educational or economic disparities based on race, ethnicity or gender, or to improve race relations in the U.S.;
- Have experienced financial hardship as a result of family economic circumstances;
- Are first-generation U.S. citizens or are the first generation in their families to graduate from a four-year college.
Apply
As a graduate student: You can find the application for our MSE and MEng programs here. Please note that there is no separate application for the Pelham Scholars Program – by applying to one of our master’s programs for fall matriculation, you will automatically be considered for the Pelham Scholars Program. Again, Pelham Scholars program funding decisions are only made in the fall; students who begin in January will be considered for funding for the following fall semester.
As an undergraduate student: Juniors and seniors in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering who show academic excellence coupled with an exemplary commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are invited to apply to be Undergraduate Pelham Scholars annually in December. Please note there is no funding for students at the undergraduate level.
About the Pelham Scholars
Pelham Scholars participate in a range of activities designed to prepare them for careers as engineering professionals who bring fluency in themes of diversity, equity and inclusion into industry. Specifically, alongside their studies, Pelham Scholars explore how to center people in their technical projects, and use engineering practice to close societal gaps. Through career advising and academic and professional mentoring, they are well-positioned to launch their careers upon graduation and begin putting theory into practice.
Pelham Scholars Are…
- Passionate about driving DEI initiatives forward in the field of engineering
- Socially conscious engineers committed to diversity
- Open to learning about other people’s backgrounds and differences
- Community builders willing to expand their horizons
Pelham Scholars Cohort Members for Academic Year 2024-2025
Master’s Students – Funded
- Abigail Atwood
- Mekhi Boulware
- Kshitij Chaudhary
- Morgan Comfort
- Aymeric Destree
- Mary Hess
- Vivian Kim
- Kayla Leady
- Daniela Martinez
- Riley McKenna
- Julien Nyberg
Master’s Students – Funding complete
- Justin Avila
- David Burby
- Isis Hang
- Ethan Hiss
- Chenwei Huang
- Ann Kilts
- Sterling Knight
- Joseph Majchrzak
- Julien Malherbe
- Jeff Manner
- Jose Marquez
- Arnulfo Pelayo
- Seth Sandoval-Skeet
- Carston Yaw
Undergraduate Students
- Gauri Jere
- Jenna Kutscher
- Lily Pegg
- Madilyn McLean
- Avery Fields
- Desirae Krzeckowski
- Kera Bass
- Aminata Ndiaye
Industry Partners
We would like to thank our industry partners for their generous support of the Pelham Scholars Program:
Barton Malow
Holcim
LimnoTech
OHM Advisors
Become an industry partner
If you are interested in becoming an industry partner or otherwise supporting the Pelham Scholars Program, please contact Melanie Zauel (mzauel@umich.edu).
Reach out
If you are interested in learning more about the Pelham Scholars Program, please contact:
