WSU junior wins Obama-Chesky scholarship

T'Emi Oshin, a junior in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Irvin D. Reid Honors College at Wayne State University, has been selected for the Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service. Oshin is the university's first recipient of this prestigious award, which was founded by Barack and Michelle Obama and Brian Chesky, co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, to help shape young leaders who can bridge divides to solve today's most pressing challenges.

As a public health and neuroscience major in the Wayne Med-Direct B.S./B.A. to M.D. program, Oshin is passionate about the intersection of medicine and systems-level change for health care. The Voyager Scholarship, which provides up to $50,000 in financial aid as well two years of development programing, gives Oshin the opportunity to explore service-led career paths, design and lead an immersive work-travel experience, connect with other mission-driven young leaders, and tap into a robust network of leaders and mentors.

"The networking and mentorship opportunities are outstanding," said Oshin. "I look forward to working with mentors who have crafted their careers in public service in the hopes of refining my own vision of a career path in medicine and advocacy."

Oshin said she has been working with the Office of Fellowships since her first year at Wayne State, discussing career goals and fellowship opportunities. When Lauren Orr, the program manager in the Office of Fellowships, encouraged her to apply, Oshin said she thought she could give it a try.

A record of public service and advocacy helped set Oshin apart. She currently serves on the Michigan Community Foundation's Youth Project and is a founding board member and chair of community engagement for Wayne State's chapter of the National Society of Black Women in Medicine. She has also worked on health initiatives through the WSU School of Medicine as well as other youth advocacy and leadership work.

Oshin said that much of her work felt fragmented, and conversations with the Office of Fellowships helped connect her passion to opportunities. The program will also help her discover her future career path and learn from others in the cohort.

"I am really looking forward to building relationships with others in the cohort," Oshin said. "People do amazing things, and public service does not have to be one thing. I can't wait to learn from others and meet amazing people."

Oshin will also have the opportunity to explore amazing places. As part of the program, "Voyagers" receive a $10,000 travel stipend and free Airbnb housing for a "Summer Voyage," a work-travel experience that exposes students to new communities and career-engaged learning. Additionally, after graduation, Voyagers receive a $2,000 Airbnb travel credit every year for 10 years, totaling $20,000, to continue to travel, foster connections, build career experiences and gain new perspectives.

"I love to travel, and one of my goals is to travel as much as possible," Oshin said. "I want to learn a ton from different people."

Oshin's summer voyage will take place in 2027 between her junior and senior year, so she has time to design her experience. As of now, she hopes to work with youth-led organizations in different parts of the world.

Before the Summer Voyage, Oshin will attend the Fall Summit, a day for other "Voyagers" to gather and connect, build leadership skills and learn from experienced leaders in public service.

"We are proud of T'Emi and her remarkable accomplishments. We look forward to seeing what she achieves and all the places the Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship will take her," said Dr. Christina L. Bloebaum, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. "T'Emi's achievements exemplify Wayne State's dedication to preparing students to thrive and make a positive impact on the world."