Meet the Fellows
The Meriwether Lewis Institute for Citizen Leadership, currently in its eighth year at the University of Virginia, is a multi-year fellowship that prepares students for a lifetime of leadership at the University and beyond. The Institute brings together a diverse group of students for a 2.5 year immersive and rigorous leadership experience. In past years, each cohort of Lewis Fellows was comprised of 25 students selected in the fall of their second year from across the University. However in most years, the cohort has expanded to 30 students.
Over the lifespan of the program, Lewis Fellows have held a vast array of leadership positions across Grounds including Student Member of the Board of Visitors, Chair of the Honor Committee, Co-Chair of Housing and Residence Life, President of the Black Student Alliance, President of the Inter-Fraternity Council, President of the Latinx Student Alliance, Executive Leadership in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and more. The cohorts consistently represent all undergraduate schools across Grounds and multiple disciplines of study. While many fellows go on to be leaders of high-profile student organizations, many more go on to lead smaller or new endeavors, such as the Student Hip-Hop Organization or creating a student group for first-generation, low-income students. Selected for potential rather than position, these students learn the skills to make an impact locally at UVA and take them out into the world and back into their communities to make an impact wherever they land in their life after college.
The mission of MLI is to help develop diverse, compassionate, driven leaders and contributors to student-self governance who are prepared to take on the challenges they will face beyond UVA.

Dana Jou Alban
College of Arts and Sciences

Abdallah Aljerjawi
Nursing

Isabel Altamira
Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy

Noel Ayala-Gallo
Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy

Amelia Bergeron
College of Arts & Sciences

Ryan Bowers
McIntire School of Commerce

Adaire Burnsed
College of Arts & Sciences

Andrew Carey
Engineering and Applied Sciences

Annalisa Cintron
Nursing

Kameryn Daniels
Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy

Nathaniel Doty
College of Arts & Sciences

Syrell Grier
College of Arts & Sciences

Fereshta Islamzada
College of Arts & Sciences

Kaushal Kambham
McIntire School of Commerce

Lukas Lehman
Engineering and Applied Sciences

Shreya Malani
Engineering and Applied Sciences

Dylan Myaing
School of Education

Lidya Niguse
College of Arts and Sciences

Fiona O'Connor
College of Arts & Sciences

Oluwamisayo Ologun
College of Arts & Sciences

Nick Porter
Engineering and Applied Sciences

Yaritza Rodriguez
College of Arts & Sciences

McKenzie Samuels
Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy

Demetri Shamsiddeen
Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy

Naomi Shumpert
College of Arts & Sciences

Samuel Thomas
Engineering and Applied Sciences

Peter Thompson
School of Education

Taylor Whirley
Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy

Clara Xin
Engineering and Applied Sciences