Part of the McDonnell Academy’s core mission is to foster close relationships among future global leaders

Our goal is for alumni to rely on the McDonnell Academy networks and track-two diplomacy throughout their careers to address global issues. McDonnell Academy alumni come from different degree programs, different partner universities and different regions around the world – facts that reflect the diversity found in our cohorts. As the numbers of alumni increase, we continue to organize opportunities for engagement and networking as reminders that they are Scholars for Life.

McDonnell Alumni Spotlight

Scholars for Life

Mark S. Wrighton Award for McDonnell Academy Alumni

Established in 2019 in honor of Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton, founder of the McDonnell International Scholars Academy, the award is presented to one McDonnell Alumnus a year. This award honors those alumni who “give back”, exemplifying outstanding leadership through professional and personal development.

Apply for the Wrighton Award
Fernando-Lopez

My experience in the McDonnell Academy transformed the way I look at the challenges of our world and has led me to think beyond traditional paradigms.

Fernando Lopez Economist & 2023 Wrighton Award Recipient
Lopez and Benoist

Fernando Lopez with Director Laura Benoist

McDonnell Alumni: We value our connection with you

Our Scholars emerge from the McDonnell Academy program as global citizens and responsible leaders empowered to forge productive careers and impact our global community.

Alumni stay connected
Priya Rathi-60-720x720

WashU is the perfect place to be an international student. St. Louis is beautiful and affordable, filled with restaurants and parks. The campus is stunning, with top-rated facilities both to study and have fun. Additionally, the McDonnell Academy gives you the chance to connect to all things international.

Priya Rathi, PhD Consultant, ClearView Healthcare Partners

McDonnell Academy Alumni Engagement

Sponsored in part by Cho-Yee and Patricia To to further advance McDonnell Academy Alumni initiatives, we continue to organize opportunities for engagement and networking as reminders that our alumni are Scholars for Life.

Discover More

Read about how our alumni help current Scholars with career, leadership or personal goals. Watch the alumni-led discussions on career insights and regional trends.

Alumni and Scholars weigh in on the most valuable aspects of the session.
  • “learning about alumni experiences during and after WashU.”
  • “meeting alumni with a shared experience that said McDonnell Academy added value.”

McDonnell Academy Mentorship Network

Providing opportunities for engagement open to all of our alumni around the world, the McDonnell Academy Mentorship Network has been developed to help foster meaningful relationships among Scholars and McDonnell Alumni.

Global Alumni and Parents Fellowship

The McDonnell Academy recognizes key sponsors for their support and commitment to the mission of international education.

View some of our sponsors

Meet our McDonnell Academy Alumni

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Ni Luh Putu Maitra Agastya

Ni Luh Putu Maitra Agastya

University of Indonesia

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Naoko Akimoto

University of Tokyo

Oguz Alyanak

Oguz Alyanak

Boğaziçi University

Siyuan An

Siyuan An

Tsinghua University

Sherria Ayuandini

Sherria Ayuandini

University of Indonesia

Andrea Balassy

Andrea Balassy

Budapest University of Technology and Economics

Sohyun Bang

Sohyun Bang

Seoul National University

Moshe Barak

Moshe Barak

Technion – Israel Institute of Technology

Sarita Barton

Sarita Barton

US Scholars Program

Edinam Adzo  Bello

Edinam Adzo Bello

University of Ghana

Emmanuel Biney

Emmanuel Biney

University of Ghana

Linley Fellow

Ivy Blackmore

Ivy Blackmore

US Scholars Program

Porpong (Paul) Boonmak

Porpong (Paul) Boonmak

Chulalongkorn University

Kun Cao

Kun Cao

Tsinghua University

Fernando Castanheira

Fernando Castanheira

State University of Campinas

Eric Cawi

Eric Cawi

US Scholars Program

Jihyun Cha

Jihyun Cha

Yonsei University

Lei Chen

Lei Chen

Peking University

Li Chen

Li Chen

National University of Singapore

Lu (Stephanie) Chen

Lu (Stephanie) Chen

Fudan University

Tianyuan (Aurora) Chen

Tianyuan (Aurora) Chen

Fudan University

Yu-Chih Chen

Yu-Chih Chen

National Taiwan University

Yujia Chen

Yujia Chen

Tsinghua Univrsity

Che-Yuan Cheng

Che-Yuan Cheng

National Taiwan University