#USA #Stanford University #Stanford #Knight-Hennessy Scholars #Phil Knight

Knight-Hennessy Scholars Announces the 2025 Cohort

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program at Stanford University has recently unveiled its 2025 cohort, consisting of 84 new scholars hailing from 25 different countries. This announcement marks the eighth cohort of the prestigious scholarship program, which aims to cultivate a new generation of leaders equipped to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges.

The 2025 cohort will be engaging in a variety of 46 graduate programs across the seven graduate schools at Stanford University. Among the new scholars, for the first time, candidates from six countries—Cameroon, Haiti, Kazakhstan, Spain, Sudan, and Tunisia—are represented, further emphasizing the program's commitment to global diversity.

John L. Hennessy, the emiritus president of Stanford and director of the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program, stated, “Our world has never needed leaders to tackle a broad range of challenges more than now. Our scholars are prepared to think boldly, act wisely and humbly, and lead with purpose, contributing to building a better future for everyone.”

The program is not just about academics; it emphasizes the development of the scholars as visionary and collaborative leaders who focus on the greater good. Through the King Global Leadership Program, scholars are provided with an array of workshops, lectures, projects, and experiences that enhance and complement their academic journey, equipping them with the skills necessary to make impactful changes.

Nearly half (48%) of the new scholars hold non-U.S. passports, demonstrating the diverse demographics the program attracts. Moreover, 53% of U.S.-based scholars identify as people of color, and 11% have served in the U.S. military. The 2025 candidates also boast educational backgrounds from 58 different institutions, showcasing academic excellence with 20 represented internationally and 20 for the first time.

Significantly, 18% of these new scholars are the first in their families to graduate from college, revealing the program’s accessibility and commitment to fostering educational opportunities for underserved communities. With the addition of this cohort, the total number of Knight-Hennessy Scholars now reaches 597 since the program's inception in 2018.

Tina Seelig, the executive director of Knight-Hennessy Scholars, commented, “Our community is enriched by the unique experiences and perspectives each new scholar brings. It is inspiring to see how scholars build connections across disciplines, cultures, and ways of thinking, strengthening their ability to tackle the world’s most urgent challenges.”

Applications for the 2026 cohort will open on June 1, 2025, with an application deadline set for October 8, 2025. Prospective scholars are encouraged to attend informative sessions to learn more about the community, leadership development program, and admission process. Notably, Knight-Hennessy Scholars holds no quotas or restrictions based on region, university, field of study, or career aspiration.

Named in honor of Phil Knight, Stanford MBA '62, philanthropist, and co-founder of Nike Inc., and John Hennessy, former president of Stanford and chairman of Alphabet Inc., the Knight-Hennessy Scholarships represent the largest fully-funded graduate scholarship program in the world. Further details can be found at kh.stanford.edu.