Yale junior global affairs major Ethan Chiu ’26 was recently named a recipient of an Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship, which provides support to college juniors who plan to pursue a career in public service.

Founded by Barack and Michelle Obama and a donation from Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky, the two-year scholarship program offers financial aid, an immersive work-travel experience, and access to a network of Obama Foundation leaders and mentors. This year’s cohort consists of 100 students from 44 states and territories, representing 88 colleges and universities across the U.S.

“I am deeply honored to join this community of Voyagers dedicated to empowering others and driving positive change in the world,” Chiu said. “Throughout my Voyager journey, I aim to focus on the intersection of national security and social justice, ensuring that all Americans can enjoy safety and prosperity amidst rapid technological advancements.”

A global affairs and history major, Chiu is interested in foreign policy and emerging technologies. He is currently an intern with the AI and Emerging Technology Initiative at The Brookings Institution, and he has also held internships at the Department of Defense, the American Enterprise Institute, and the American Red Cross.

At Yale, Chiu is the co-president of the Alexander Hamilton Society, a co-organizer for the Geopolitics of Technology Initiative, former president and co-founder of the Yale Foreign Policy Initiative, and a former executive board member of the Yale College Council. He is also a student fellow at Yale Law School’s Information Society Project, a director’s fellow at the Digital Ethics Center, and was a 2023-24 Kerry Fellow.

“I have been impressed with Ethan’s work in the classroom as well as his leadership in the many extracurricular activities he participates in,” said Ted Wittenstein, Jackson senior lecturer and director of the Schmidt Program on Artificial Intelligence, Emerging Technologies, and National Power. “This is a well-deserved honor that will enable him to pursue further research and travel opportunities that will greatly build upon his academic interests.”