News

Eduardo Linardi, a University of Florida third-year student, is one of 100 students nationally selected to receive the Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service.

Linardi is an international studies major in the Bob Graham Center for Public Service at UF.

Created by Michelle and Barack Obama with Brian Chesky, co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, the Voyager Scholarship is a two-year leadership development program. The award provides students up to $50,000 in financial aid to complete their undergraduate studies, a significant stipend for an immersive travel experience and access to a robust network of leaders and mentors. The program additionally allows for continued work-travel funding over a 10-year period.

Kickstarted by a $100 million donation from Chesky to the Obama Foundation, the scholarship is now in its third year and focuses on students with a passion for public service. The 2024-2026 cohort includes students from 35 states and territories, representing 60 colleges and universities across the United States.

“I was so happy and relieved when I heard the news,” said Linardi, on hearing he was a finalist. “There was an error in my email address and they could not contact me. The Obama Foundation finally reached out to my dad, who initially thought it was a scam!”

Linardi plans to use the award to study climate change, pollution and their effect on local communities. He is considering trips to Louisiana and the “Cancer Alley” communities along the Mississippi, as well as next year’s EXPO 2025 in Osaka, Japan.

“I have always been interested in climate change, as I believe it is an existential threat to my generation,” Linardi said. “I’d also like to learn more about policy making and how it impacts people in real life. I believe being on the ground and understanding what is happening in communities allows you to have more of an impact when making and implementing policy.”

Linardi was one of 24 UF students who participated in Beyond120 and the Bob Graham Center’s, spring 2024 excursion to Washington, D.C. He said the experience helped shape his understanding that career choices can take multiple paths, whether through public service, government work, think tanks or advocacy organizations.

The Obama-Chesky Scholarship is intended to open those doors.

“When Michelle, Brian, and I launched the Voyager Scholarship in 2022, we were excited to see what young people with a passion for public service could do when given the right support,” said President Obama, according to the Foundation’s press release. “The past two cohorts have shown tremendous passion, curiosity, and collaboration – all while working hard across their college campuses. Today, as we welcome our third cohort of Voyagers, I’m more hopeful than ever that our future is in good hands.”

The Bob Graham Center for Public Service, founded by the late Senator Bob Graham, prepares UF students with the knowledge and skills for effective civic engagement, public leadership, and public service in local and international communities.

Learn more about Beyond120 and experiential learning opportunities.