The Graduate School Access Fund (GSAF) provides advising and financial support for 51³Ô¹ÏÍø students who identify as low income, first generation, or from other historically excluded backgrounds and are seeking admission to graduate or professional schools.
The application period for the spring 2025 GSAF cohort is January 2–February 13, 2025.
Interested students may .
To be eligible to apply, students must have a résumé certified for the current academic year. and review our résumé guide in the Career Services Toolkit.
Ta’Von Amir ’25
Major: Metaphysical Arts
Hometown: Chesapeake, Va.
Intended graduate academic discipline: Music
Transdisciplinary social-practice artist and award-winning author, Ta’Von is a force of healing change. A first-generation student endowed as a Point Scholar and an Office of Undergraduate Studies Scholar, Ta’Von is completing a baccalaureate in a self-initiated field of inquiry: metaphysical arts. Ta’Von utilizes sound, installation art, and visceral performance as sites for individual, collective, and intergenerational healing and access points where the physical, political, and spiritual meet. With GSAF’s support, Ta’Von looks forward to enrolling in a graduate program that can be used as a stage or arena whereupon healing is clarified, digested, and strum.
Jose Arriaza ’25
Major: Geography
Hometown: Miami, Fla.
Intended graduate academic discipline: Media Studies
Jose is interested in sound design, education, and grassroots organizing. Throughout his time at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, he has worked on building a STEM-based curriculum with Professor Harpp and Professor Gardner through the Virtual Galápagos project and a sound design project funded by the Benton Scholars program. In this endeavor, he created soundscapes inspired by the sounds and music he encountered during his study abroad experience in London in the fall of 2023. His passion for grassroots organizing stems from being born and raised in Miami and working with several organizations in the nonprofit sector to advocate for the dismantling of the school-to-prison pipeline and equitable education. At 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, Jose has served as a curatorial assistant at the Longyear Museum of Anthropology, an arts and humanities intern, and a student leader in multiple organizations, including the Latin American Students Organization, Queer Trans People of Color, and as a publicity director for WRCU 90.1 FM. Jose intends to pursue a master's degree in media studies to further his passion for innovation and the arts.
Leila Bekaert ’25
Major: Film and Media Studies
Hometown: Oakland, Calif.
Intended graduate academic discipline: Film Post-Production and Archival Studies
Leila’s shared passion for film and museum studies has led her to pursue their unique intersection, majoring and minoring in both disciplines. In the fall of her junior year, she participated in the NYC Film and Media Study Group with the Gotham Film Institute, leading to the opportunity to attend the 77th Cannes Film Festival this past summer. Along with exploring the current film industry, she has volunteered as a collections intern at the Visual Studies Workshop in Rochester to explore media archives. At 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, she has worked as a projectionist at Golden Auditorium, a teaching assistant for film and media classes, and at the Digital Learning Media Center. She hopes to continue pursuing her shared passion for film at a graduate school for film archives and preservation or in post-production film.
Brianna Botello ’25
Major: Spanish and Africana and Latin American Studies
Hometown: Houston, TX
Intended graduate academic discipline: Spanish and Portuguese Literature
Brianna is a first-generation Office of Undergraduate Studies Scholar passionate about pursuing doctoral studies to break traditional approaches to studies of gender violence and masculinity in contemporary Latin American literature. This summer, Brianna worked as a research assistant in 51³Ô¹ÏÍø's political science department, where she conducted research alongside Professor Ibarra del Cueto on the reconfiguration of Mexico’s political party system after the 2024 electoral period.
Currently, she is working alongside Professor Osvaldo Sandoval-León compiling research on the gendered and racialized violence of Afro-Uruguayan communities during the Uruguayan dictatorship. At 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, Brianna serves as president of Sigma Delta Pi, language ambassador for the W. M. Keck Center for Language Studies, program assistant for the Africana and Latin American Studies Program, and Spanish coordinator for the World Languages Program through the Upstate Institute. Additionally, she serves on the National Board of Student Advisors for the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society. Having spent several years of her childhood living in Mexico, Brianna re-entered the U.S. education system, navigating a new culture and environment shaped by anti-immigrant sentiment. These personal experiences have deeply influenced her perspective, driving her to consider her role in academia and inspiring her to become a guiding light for future generations of scholars within her community. Brianna hopes to secure a professorship after her doctoral studies.
Ana Luisa Furiati ’25
Major: Psychological Science and Philosophy Double-Major
Hometown: Miami, Fla.
Intended graduate academic discipline: Entertainment Law, Music Business
For Ana Luisa, music is more than an art form, it is an energy that shapes human connection. Raised in Venezuela and trained at the Conservatory of Music Vicente Emilio Sojo, she developed a profound fascination with music’s ability to synchronize people — a question that drives her psychological science honors thesis. At 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, she explores this topic as music director at WRCU, vice president of the Spanish Language Debate Society, and an outdoor educator, constantly drawn to environments where intellect, creativity, and leadership converge. Her interest in the evolving music industry led her to roles as a social media marketing intern and an international law intern, where she gained firsthand experience in digital strategy and legal research. Preparing for law school, Ana Luisa intends to make an impact in the intersection of law, music, and innovation. She is committed to shaping the future of music publishing, ensuring the industry's evolution alongside technology and the preservation of music as a creative force and a legal asset.
Anthony Garcia ’25
Major: Sociology and Educational Studies
Hometown: East Los Angeles, Calif.
Intended graduate academic discipline: Social Policy and Justice (Master’s of Public Policy)
Anthony is a first-generation QuestBridge scholar dedicated to advancing educational attainment and mobility within immigrant communities. As a scholar-activist, Anthony draws on the legacy of Chicano resilience from his East Los Angeles roots, merging his academic positionality with grassroots activism. At 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, Anthony builds upon these commitments through leadership roles in the Brothers’ and Men of Color Success Network, QuestBridge Scholars Network, and First@51³Ô¹ÏÍø. His passion for public policy grew after a prestigious legal internship at Kivu Immigration Law, where he shifted from legal practice to policy reform as a pathway toward social justice. Moving forward, Anthony intends to pursue graduate studies in Public Policy, focusing on Immigration, Education, and Social Justice Policy. As a Grad School Access Fellow, Anthony also hopes to inspire perseverance for other minority scholars.
Boyana He ’25
Major: Environmental Studies and Economics
Hometown: Shanghai, China
Intended graduate academic discipline: Environmental Management and Policy
Boyana is an international student from Shanghai, China. She’s passionate about sustainability and public policy and focuses on institutional environmental initiatives. She plans to pursue a graduate degree in this field of study, such as a master's in Environmental Management or Environmental Policy. At 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, she pursued a double major in Environmental Studies and Economics. She is working on two independent research projects on environmental policy analysis through quantitative and qualitative research methods. She also developed skills in climate action planning and data-driven environmental management through her three years of working experience at the Office of Sustainability. She aspires to become a sustainability director in higher education and advance environmental stewardship and equity.
Ahmed Ayub Khan ’25
Major: Biology and Computer Science
Hometown: Jauharabad, Pakistan
Intended graduate academic discipline: Computational Biology
Ayub is an international student from Pakistan, with an interest in problem-solving and mental health that has led him to major in biology and computer science, and to investigate biological problems through computational techniques in his research. Consequently, he plans to pursue a PhD in computational biology in the U.S. Over the summer of 2024, Ayub worked at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø in Professor Ahmet Ay’s systems biology lab to extend his thesis on microRNA biomarkers of dementia and write a comprehensive manuscript. He is now in the process of making it his third published paper in the field in early 2025. Ayub wishes to unravel the genetic basis of psychiatric and neurological disorders during his research career, and one day help develop more effective therapeutic interventions for these conditions. He also has a long-term goal of teaching in a university setting.
Emma Lewis ’25
Major: Biology
Hometown: Vestal, N.Y.
Intended graduate academic discipline: Biological Oceanography
Emma’s passion for the environment and for learning and sharing knowledge has led her to study oceanography. She is particularly drawn to this discipline for its vast implications for climate change. She developed this appreciation for marine systems in her semester abroad in Cape Town, South Africa, and coursework at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø. She is currently working on an interdisciplinary thesis within the biology, geology, and physics departments to investigate and assess the impacts of climate change on the diversity, biomineralization, and genetic population structure of mollusk shells from around the globe. She intends to pursue a PhD in oceanography and conduct research on coral reef restoration or marine phytoplankton dynamics. Along with her academic pursuits, Emma is a dedicated student leader in 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Outdoor Education program and enjoys playing basketball and crocheting in her free time.
Maggie Manzella ’25
Major: Art History
Hometown: Rochester, N.Y.
Intended graduate academic discipline: Architecture
Maggie’s passion for drawing has led her to pursue a path in architecture. Through her experiences at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø as the president of the Student Activities and Tri Delta, she hopes to continue her work on cultivating inclusive spaces throughout her studies. Community housing is her intended research topic during graduate studies. To prepare for graduate school, Maggie completed an Introduction to Architecture Studio course through Columbia University this past summer. The intense program on top of her full-time position as a pharmacy technician provided insight into the typical studio environment in a graduate program. Maggie intends to pursue a master’s in architecture and is prepared to enter a program in the fall of 2025.
Bryan (Tai) Pham ’25
Major: Asian Studies: China and Mandarin
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Intended graduate academic discipline: Asian Studies
Tai is a first-generation college student who immigrated to the U.S. from Vietnam at the age of seven. He is active in speaking and debate clubs at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø and serves as president of the Model United Nations, participates in the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Model Arab League and the European Simulation, and has won awards at various conferences. Tai has represented 51³Ô¹ÏÍø as a delegate in numerous cities and countries, showcasing his leadership in these roles. He is deeply involved in cultural organizations, holding prominent positions in clubs such as 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Vietnamese Society. Since his freshman year, Tai has been a language ambassador at the Keck Center for Language Study and a Chinese tutor. His involvement extends to working as an editorial assistant for the East Asian Studies monthly newsletter. Additionally, he is set to become an intern at the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations.
Tai has received various State Department scholarships, including the Gilman Scholarship, Rangel and Pickering Fellowship alternate, which funded his study abroad in Taiwan. During his time abroad, he interned with the nonprofit organization, IPower, and collaborated with NGOs across Taiwan to promote experimental education models. Tai is returning to Taiwan for the final semester of his senior year through the Boren Scholarship. He aspires to become a foreign service officer after graduation, focusing on U.S. policies in East Asia, particularly the evolving national identity of Taiwan. He hopes to serve as an ambassador or diplomat in Asia, representing the United States.
Lily Spinner ’25
Major: Biology
Minor: Psychological and Brain Sciences
Hometown: Winston-Salem, N.C.
Intended graduate academic discipline: Law
Lily is passionate about the law and has a special interest in women’s rights and reproductive rights, and is planning to attend law school after graduation. She aims to use her legal education to challenge discriminatory policies and amplify the voices of those whose rights have been marginalized or disregarded. At 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, Lily takes an active role in leadership, heading a mentorship program for fifth-grade girls and serving as a civic engagement intern for the Center for Outreach, Volunteerism, and Education. Last summer, she interned at her local district attorney’s office and the Ronald McDonald House. These vast experiences allow her to pursue her passion for helping others and enacting positive change in her community.
Aleksia Taci ’25
Major: Art History, Chinese
Hometown: Tirana, Albania
Intended graduate academic discipline: Fashion and Costume History
Aleksia is interested in pursuing a master’s in fashion and costume history. Her experience researching Renaissance Venetian fashion at the Cleveland Museum of Art as the fashion curatorial intern in 2024, affirmed her passion for studying dress and dressing practices. At 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, Aleksia has had the opportunity to help curate two textile exhibitions that explore historical and contemporary weaving practices. Her senior thesis is the first academic inquiry into contemporary fashion designer Robert Wun’s collections and will be presented at the Costume Society of America’s 51st Annual National Symposium. Aleksia hopes to study his work in more depth during her graduate studies.
Anzi Wang ’25
Major: Philosophy, Computer Science
Hometown: Shanghai, China
Intended graduate academic discipline: Computational Psycholinguistics
Anzi aims to pursue a PhD in computational psycholinguistics. Currently, she is interested in how people’s beliefs are reflected in day-to-day linguistic behavior, especially beliefs people are not conscious of. Her research uses misalignments between model predictions and empirical data to study how humans and language models process sentences, and she hopes to further explore this area through graduate studies. Her thesis is one of the two student projects funded by the Mind, Brain, and Behavior Scholar program this academic year. Anzi is also passionate about political philosophy and films.
Read more
The Graduate School Access Fund has opened doors for 51³Ô¹ÏÍø students. Neuroscience major Toni-Ann Yapp ’21 aspires to help others and improve their well-being. The fund helped her with a concentration in chronic disease epidemiology.