Dartmouth Engineering MS student Michelle Wang '21 Th'22. (Photo by Robert Gill)

Founded by Stephen Schwarzman, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of the global investment firm Blackstone, the program seeks to prepare a new generation of international leaders "to respond to the geopolitical landscape of the 21st century," and to foster cross-cultural ties with China, according to the program's website.

As an undergraduate, Wang majored in engineering sciences modified with earth sciences; she earned her bachelor's degree in engineering and expects to graduate from Thayer School of Engineering with a master's degree in the spring. Her studies in engineering have focused on energy and the environment.

As a first-generation American whose parents immigrated to California from China, Wang says she jumped at the opportunity the Schwarzman scholarship offered.

"Since I was a kid, I've always wanted to live in China for a year so I can finally get the language down," she says. "And I can travel in the country where my parents came from. So this is such an amazing opportunity."

As an undergraduate, Wang participated in the international Marine Energy Collegiate Competition through the Arthur L. Irving Institute for Energy and Society; worked in the Dartmouth Sustainability Office, including working on the Organic Farm, managing the annual maple sugaring operation, and managing the first-year program. In addition, her Marine Energy Collegiate Competition team, consisting of students from Dartmouth and the University of Mexico, won the Moonshot Award from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory for their proposal to build an ocean thermal plant off the coast of Cozumel.

Wang plans to study global affairs at Tsinghua University and use her engineering and science background in a possible career in public policy related to "science policy and energy policy on a global scale to effect positive progress against climate change," she said.

For information about applying for Schwarzman scholarships and other programs, and to see a list of past recipients, visit the Office of Fellowship Advising.