First Year Scholars Program

The First Year Scholars program supports the intellectual and professional development of first year doctoral students in the Division, further building our community of scholars. Participating students will also have the opportunity to engage in supported and mentored summer research experiences. A link to the application to join the program will be sent to all incoming PhD students within the Division.

Goals and Objectives:

The goals of SSD Scholars Program:

  1. Empower students to strategically plan and take control for their graduate education, and build intellectual community.
  2. Foster a strong cohort among first year students across the Division of the Social Sciences.

To achieve these goals, the program:

  1. Provides academic, social, and professional development opportunities.
  2. Eases the transition of incoming graduate students in SSD.
  3. Builds awareness of university resources.
  4. Promotes mental health wellbeing and raise awareness of mental health resources.
  5. Helps students find community in and outside of the university.

Students will come together monthly for workshops, meetings, and socials with faculty and other doctoral students. Programing will also draw on resources from UChicagoGRAD, Student Health and Wellness, and the Center for Civic Engagement. 

All participating students can apply for mentored summer research grants in the summer following their participation in the program.

For more information, contact Chaevia Clendinen, Associate Dean of Students, Advancement and Student Services.

2024 - 2025 First Year Scholars

Hayley Birss (Conceptual and Historical Studies of Science)

Jenny Bo (Comparative Human Development)

Luke Cain (Political Science)

Kaya Colakoglu (History)

Hindolee Datta (Anthropology)

Isabel Gephart (Psychology)

Ryan Gibbons (Political Science)

Rose Gotlieb (Social Thought)

Sebastian Freed Huici (Economics)

Yasir Arafat Ibrahim (History)

Olivia Jenkins (History)

Ýr Örlygsdóttir (Sociology)

Vicky Quintanilla (Sociology)

Mystie Saturday (Psychology)

Lauren Selden (History)

Samuel Shoemaker (Social Thought)

Madeline Sullivan (Psychology)

Manuel Ariel Soldevila (Anthropology)

Mike Svirin (History)

Chris Tatsuoka (Political Science)

Qicheng Yao (Anthropology)

Wei Zhou (Sociology)