Scholars of Distinction

The Barbara Silver Horowitz ’55 Scholars of Distinction Program, formerly known as The Barnard Centennial Scholars Program, was established in 1985 to help the College educate extraordinary young women bound for achievement. The Program provides a unique four-year scholarly experience in a cohort with other outstanding students. It offers participants an intellectual community, interaction with special invited guests, occasional special events outside the university setting, funds to pursue research, and a chance under the mentorship of a faculty member or outside expert to create an ambitious final project that will be presented to faculty and peers. The nature of the work produced varies according to the student, as is discussed below, and may or may not be related to their Barnard capstone thesis.

• Scholar cohort events begin in the student’s first year and continue throughout the Scholar’s time at Barnard. During a Scholar's first two years, these events (often sparked by student suggestions) are enfolded in a one-credit per semester course that is intended to foster community and encourage intellectual curiosity. Activities include attending scholarly events and seminars on campus, visiting off-campus cultural institutions and events, and social gatherings. Scholars often invite relevant faculty to participate in outings and discussions.
• Every Scholar selects a faculty mentor by the spring of her second year and will work closely with this mentor to define and then plan her research project.  
• Scholars receive funding to utilize during the summers after their sophomore and junior years. This funding allows them the freedom to conduct research or implement their ideas, either on campus or as far afield as they like, depending on the nature of their project.
• In their third and fourth years at Barnard, Scholars attend some seminars in which they workshop their ideas, research methods, drafts, and presentations with their more junior Scholar colleagues. Most of their work, however, will be undertaken in conjunction with their mentor. To acknowledge the work that goes into creating a polished and original final project, scholars will earn 1.5 credits each semester.

 

Benefits: Community and credits

Scholars enter the program in a cohort and interact closely with their fellow Scholars throughout their time at Barnard. For their first two years, Scholars participate in a 1-credit per semester seminar that is designed to foster community, intellectual curiosity, familiarity with various methods of inquiry, and connections with potential mentors. Scholars meet two or three times a month and often provide input on readings, guest speakers, and outings. Students are expected to attend all events and meetings.

During their third and fourth years, Scholars take part in some seminars, social events and outings. The emphasis, however, is on holding regular meetings with their mentors and self-directed study. For this they will receive 1.5 credits a semester. More advanced Scholars will also workshop projects in progress and receive feedback on their ideas and presentations. A Scholar’s time at Barnard will culminate in a formal presentation of her project.

 

Benefits: Mentorship and guidance in project development 

Mentorship is a key component of the Barbara Silver Horowitz ’55 Scholars of Distinction Program. With the assistance of the program directors, mentors are selected and recruited by the students at the end of their second year in the program. Typically chosen from the Barnard faculty—or occasionally from individuals outside the College who have expertise valuable to the Scholar—these individuals are compensated for their participation. Mentors serve as intellectual counselors and guides and are responsible for overseeing a project from its inception to its completion. Mentors and Scholars are expected to meet at least once a month. Initial meetings between a Scholar and her mentor focus upon the development of a project prospectus, budget, and timeline. In later meetings, a mentor will advise the Scholar and oversee the implementation and development of her project.

Benefits: Summer funding to help in project development 

A Scholar’s final project may dovetail with her senior capstone thesis or it may focus on something completely unrelated. In order to encourage Scholars to be as bold and creative as possible in envisioning their project, each Scholar may receive as much as $9000 (not to exceed $4500 in a single summer). With the approval of her mentor and the Program directors, the Scholar may use the stipend in any manner that contributes to furthering or enriching her project. Possible uses include travel, facilitating research opportunities, subsidizing collaborations or production expenses, and the purchase of equipment, lessons, etc.

Responsibilities:

• To maintain good academic standing throughout their time at Barnard.
• To regularly attend seminars as well as events scheduled outside of class time (which will normally be determined prior to the start of classes).
• To compose meditations on select events for the Scholars’ blog. See some examples here.
• Juniors and Seniors are expected to meet regularly with their mentors, to attend seminar sessions and social events when requested, and to develop an ambitious and creative project.
• Status in the Scholars Program is contingent on a student meeting the above expectations and providing evidence of their maturity and self-direction. If there are areas of concern, a committee will evaluate the student's continued status as a member of the program.

 

 

Co-Director
Professor Celia E. Naylor

Celia E. Naylor, Professor of Africana Studies and History, joined the Barnard College faculty in 2010.  Most of her published work explores the multifaceted connections between African-Americans, “Black Indians,” and Native Americans in the U.S. In her book African Cherokees in Indian Territory: From Chattel to Citizens, she explores the experiences of enslaved and free people of African descent in the Cherokee Nation in Indian Territory from the 1830s to 1907.  Professor Naylor is currently finishing another book entitled (Un)Silencing Slavery: Telling Truths about Rose Hall Plantation, Jamaica; it will be published in 2022 by the University of Georgia Press (Gender and Slavery Series). She is also working on a digital humanities project on Rose Hall that will highlight the individual and collective lives of the enslaved people who lived and labored at Rose Hall Plantation. She hopes this overall project will also provide the foundation for integrating and interrogating more critical information about enslaved people and slavery in future tours and materials at the Rose Hall Great House in Jamaica.

Professor Naylor has served on a number of committees at Barnard College and Columbia University. She is on the Editorial Board of the Journal of African American History. Due to Professor Naylor's interest in, and commitment to, racial equity and social justice, over the past few years she has been working with the Institute for Strategic and Equitable Development (ISED). She has served as President of the Board of Directors of this non-profit organization since its establishment in 2015. ISED's purpose is to promote impactful grant-making, investments, and economic development in communities of color through strategic planning, evaluation, project management, and technical assistance services. ISED's 2 major initiatives are Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity in Environmental Philanthropy (InDEEP) and the Presidents' Forum on Racial Equity in Philanthropy.

 

Scholars

Valeria Alanis '26

II was planted in a Mexican border city called Reynosa, Tamaulipas, right across the South Texas Border. Having a basket of opportunities lying just next door, my mother decided to embark on an adventure that hasn’t quite yet ended. Every morning, while the sun remained peacefully dormant, I found myself half-asleep, traveling from one country to another and back for school. Although I was fairly young and full of collagen, I rapidly recognized the differences rooted between my two homes. I always remained thankful for this. It was through the hardships that I harvested resilience and a prevailing frame of mind. In High School, I was President of Student Council, Ambassador of my school district, participant of NHS and SHS, and multiple time BPA state qualifier. Throughout this period of growth, I cultivated a myriad of fascinations. I discovered my fondness of expression through dancing, my love for undressing the mind through writing, and my admiration of genuineness through people. There is no denying that I still have a lot to learn; Through the Barbara Silver Horowitz '55 Scholars of Distinction Program, I am confident that I will harvest my ideas so that one day, I can tell that little girl that observed the world through a window that she made it. My journey has just begun. 

 

 

Shaya Godycki '25

I grew up in Santa Clarita, California-- a small, very conservative Republican town. Growing up in a space dominated by white supremacy and conservative values forced me to be hyper-aware of my positionality as a young, black feminine-presenting individual in the United States and as a global citizen. My lived experiences prompted my curiosity about studying intersections of oppression and how we can dismantle these systems. Exploring this curiosity allowed me to find Barnard’s CCIS department, a department that I plan to study under during my four years here.

I plan to double major in both Comparative Literature and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, along with minoring in ICORE/MORE. I want to use the knowledge that I gain to further my goals of analyzing various axes of oppression, how they intersect, and, especially, how these axes are extended through social exchange and media. Through the courses provided and extracurriculars available, I hope to grow as an artist, an activist, and an author. Outside of academics, I love to watch anime and read fantasy novels along with sketching out characters for my original works.

Nina Haskins '26

As a biracial woman growing up in the diverse metropolis of New York City, I’ve always been fascinated by the coexistence and sharing of cultures. I want to promote (both in my life and in others’) ways in which we can diversify our own perspectives through the listening and appreciation of experiences that differ from our own. This has fueled my interest in anthropology, international relations, linguistics, and environmental studies, but has also left me with endless possibilities of exploration. No matter what way my studies of human ecology and society manifests, I aim to return to those values. 

In the meantime, I love to hone in on both collaborative and independent passions, like ceramics, soccer, violin, and language learning. I’m so honored to be a part of the Scholars Program, and cannot wait to be connected with storytellers around the globe who share similar values. I’m so eager to explore existing and future curiosities, and am ready to hit the ground running!

 

Shreya Kumar '24

I was born in Racine, Wisconsin, but I was raised primarily in New Jersey. I’m a middle child, sandwiched between a 14-year-old sister and a 20-year-old brother. I go from playing Nerf guns with my sister to talking about the history of the English throne with my brother in the span of an hour. Growing up with two distinct siblings has allowed me to develop a capacity to engage with people with diverse and varied interests. When asked what my favorite color is, I can never pick because I like them all. I love lounging on the beach, but I would never say no to hiking in the mountains. Performing musicals has given me chills; balancing the intense adrenaline rush, your friends and family cheering, and remembering lines and notes is a unique–and addictive–feeling that I can’t dream of giving up. I'm passionate about politics and served Editor-in-Chief of The First Amendment, my high school's political opinions magazine; however, I also appreciate the weekly-deadlines and late night feeds that come with editorship at The Lawrence, my school's daily newspaper. Honors Biology has been one of the more interesting classes I’ve taken in school; I find the correlation between structure and function in organisms and how they evolve to be beautiful, and I admire how simple evolutionary rules lead to complex life forms. In an age when specializing is the norm, I will bring different interests together with classic middle child patience and humor and cultivate them with the Barnard community.  

 

Alexandria Landry '26

I was born and raised in Belmont, Massachusetts, right outside of Boston. I am a proud daughter of a Mexican immigrant, and many of my passions stem from this aspect of my identity. During high school, I used my Spanish language skills to help researchers at Boston College School of Social work better understand how Latinx immigrants navigate healthcare systems in greater Boston. My work as an assistant in this research opened my eyes to many of the shortcomings of systems – like the healthcare system– that are meant to work for everyone. I began making changes in my own life because of this research, starting a program for culturally-competent translators at the local food pantry and also serving as a Spanish tutor. I hope to continue my advocacy work throughout college and beyond, particularly with a focus on economics. As I grow in my understanding of the economy and how it often affects our world in imperceptible ways, I aspire to better understand how advocates can use their economic and financial knowledge to truly make an impact in communities that are often left voiceless. In my free time, I have loved getting to know NYC, especially exploring the restaurant scene. I also love watching light-hearted movies, baking, and going on long walks. 

Atswei Laryea '25

Hiya! My name is Naa Atswei (or just Atswei) Laryea, and I’m a West-African Washingtonian majoring in Africana Studies here at Barnard College. With the Scholars of Distinction program, I hope to explore the relationship between the math classroom, race, class, gender, and other socio- political constructs. Additionally, I’m interested in music(ology), fashion, and design, and perhaps will find a way to string all of these topics together during my time as a Scholar of Distinction. 

Though I primarily grew up in D.C., I've spent a lot of time in London (where a large chunk of my family grew up and reside) and consider myself an honorary Black Brit on top of my Ghanaian and Nigerian identity. For my junior year of high school, I went abroad and studied in Rennes, France, and would love to broaden my cultural inventory by studying abroad on the African continent during my time at Barnard. On-campus, I have plans to join Barnard B.O.S.S., Columbia University African Students Association, Hoot Mag, and maybe try my hand at DJing for WBAR. Outside of academics, you can find me chatting with friends and family, going on walks, planning family vacations, or listening to Amapiano on too high of a volume.

Sophia Lopez '26

I was born and raised in Chicago, the same hometown as my parents. But when the opportunity for change presented itself, I took it! The summer before my freshman year of high school, we moved to Los Angeles, California. Being here in New York now, I will have lived in the three best cities in the United States, in my opinion of course. I am incredibly excited to be here in New York as a Barnard student and Scholar of Distinction. I am currently interested in pursuing theology and neuroscience. My interest in theology grew from a summer research program I participated in during high school where I studied the digital age of American Sufism. My interest in neuroscience grew from my mother's vertigo diagnosis, as I’ve spent many years observing its effects on her. I look forward to exploring how these topics can overlap in a broader sense. I am newly a member of the crocheting club and the culinary society at Columbia. So, I am looking forward to keeping up with my favorite hobbies from home throughout the school year. Similarly, in my free time I babysit, read, try out new coffee shops and admire every dog I see! 

 

Johanna Mintz '24

"I’m a New Yorker, born and bred (fuggedaboutit!). Having spent my formative years in a city with such diverse representations of identity, cultural experience, and ways of life, my interests are far-flung and varied, ranging from Gulag art to Bollywood movies, to true crime podcasts, to Klezmer music, to Ancient curse tablets. Finding an academic discipline that could combine my seemingly modern and disparate passions for art, history, language, philosophy, and literature appeared to be a daunting task. However, after taking Latin and Ancient Greek in high school and reading ancient texts ranging in topic from atomic theory to gynecology, I found that Classics was the perfect encapsulation of all my interests and a means of accessing a broad range of cultural material that is surprisingly applicable to our modern world. However, as I began to actively pursue Classics, my experiences in courses and summer programs were punctuated by misogyny and the false classification of Classics as a “white, western history.” These encounters recentered my focus and sparked a sense of urgency; my particular interest is now in gender and sexuality in the ancient world in tandem with modern receptions of antiquity and its appropriation by the Nazis, the alt-right, and men’s rights movements. I hope, at Barnard and with the support of the Scholars program, to become an active contributor to the razing and restructuring of Classics as a discipline and the creation of a more inclusive and accurate depiction of the ancient world. Outside of class, I love to paint, play guitar, watch The Sopranos, re-read Madeline Miller’s Circe, and make matzo ball soup with my sister."

 

Angelina Nicolosi '25

I was born and raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina as the oldest daughter of a single mother. While I attended a relatively wealthy high school in a small, country town, I navigated through my education as one of few low-income students in many of my classes. From as early as kindergarten, socioeconomic status and income inequality have been two of the most prevalent factors impacting my worldview. For most of my life I thought I would make something of myself through the medical field, but after several formative political experiences in my sophomore year of high school, I found my passion in law and government. I realized my own success would be meaningless if I wasn’t able to help as many people as possible along the way, and fighting against injustices towards the people most harmed by our political system is how I intend to do it.

At Barnard, I hope to double major in political science and social and economic history. When I’m not reading up on those subjects, I enjoy watching Glee, perfecting my iced coffee order, and writing tweets that I hope people will laugh at.

 

Fahitza Quessa '26

Hello my name Fahitza Quessa, I am a Haitian-born native and a natural extrovert. As a first-year Barnard student, I am currently a computer science and political science major interested in software engineering and law. I became interested in law when I joined advocacy programs in Boston. As someone from an underprivileged background, my ambition stems from wanting to help other disadvantaged people overcome the barriers they are surrounded by. Thereby, I hope to obtain a law degree to give a voice to the voiceless. Whilst I work towards a law degree, I want to get a B.S. in computer science because I enjoy the logic-based thinking that is very pertinent to coding. I hope to inspire other incoming young gifted black women at Barnard as a scholar of Distinction. 

Alice Rodi '25

I’ve been fascinated by words and writing ever since I can remember: growing up in a tiny, idyllic town in New Hampshire called Lyme, I spent much of my free time reading, crafting poetry, or inventing my own languages. Once I got to high school, I joined my school’s newspaper and fell head over heels, eventually taking on editorship my junior and senior years. I became infatuated with journalistic writing, and, although it scared me, I was thrilled to share my work with the public—doing so allowed me to build connections and foster relationships I never thought possible. 

Within the Scholars of Distinction program, I hope to examine language through not only a journalistic and storytelling lens, but a scientific one, as well. In short, I aim to study how language affects communities and the people within them. In addition, I want to delve further into my curiosities regarding language acquisition, cognition, and phonetics through psycholinguistics and linguistic anthropology, as well as (potentially) cognitive neuroscience.

Arianna Suarez '26

My name is Arianna Suarez, and I am a first year at Barnard College. I was born and raised in Westchester County, New York. I am a proud Scholar of Distinction and am eager to continue exemplifying my hard work, responsibility, and commitment to my education by challenging myself throughout my college experience. A hobby of mine is dancing especially Spanish music such as Bachata and Merengue because I find it to be a fun way to feel immersed in my Dominican culture. I am the Dance Coordinator of the Grupo Folclórico Dominicano and through my role, I help spread the culture of the Dominican Republic through church and community events. I do this by leading practice groups and assisting with event coordination and the creation of dance routines. At college, I am taking Salsa classes at Casa Hispanica and am a part of the Latinx community to continue learning and feeling connected to my culture. As a first year, I hope to explore a variety of different classes and topics to gain a better understanding of possible career interests. This year I look forward to being open-minded and going out of my comfort zone to try new things and meet new people. I am currently a prospective educational studies major and urban teaching minor, but I am open-minded and exploring several different areas of study.

 

 

Anjali Smith '25

I was born and raised in NJ, and am lucky to be a part of a big multiethnic family. I love to paint, go on long walks, make Pinterest boards, and I have a strange obsession with flipping through companies’ brand books (Glossier’s is my favorite). 

As a descendant of Indo-Fijian Girmitiyas, indentured laborers under British colonialism, I am aware of the lasting impact a single policy can have on generations of people. Traditionally, the people in positions of power to create policies rarely feel the impact of their policies. This observation served as the foundation for my academic interests throughout high school as I researched and drafted legislation with my school’s model congress team, and analyzed data about systemic racism and racial attitudes in politics as a research assistant for Princeton University Professor LaFleur Stephens-Dougan. 

I am beyond grateful to attend Barnard College and for the opportunity to pursue my research interests as a Scholar of Distinction. I hope to bring more Indo-Fijian oral histories into academic research and knowledge on indentured labor in Fiji because my ancestors, especially the women, deserve better than colonial documents and narratives that exclude their lived experiences.

 

 

 

Lauren Zhou '24

Despite being born in the US, I grew up predominantly in Manila, Philippines. I spent ten years at the International School of Manila, where I received an International Baccalaureate diploma and cultivated my passions for journalism, photography, and history. While living in Manila, I observed Filipino democratic values erode. Notably, in July of 2020, right before I went off to college, I witnessed the anti-terrorism act pass into law in the Philippines — through a broad definition of terrorism, it allowed for the warrantless arrest of individuals with the purpose of deterring government criticism. Although I will forever call the Philippines home, it is undeniably a fragile democracy, prone to abuse. Thus, upon coming to Barnard, my upbringing made me cognizant of the larger US polity, and my place — as a first-generation Asian American — within it. 

At Barnard, I am double majoring in Political Science and History on a pre-law track. Under the Scholars of Distinction Program, I have been given the opportunity and resources to explore my Asian American heritage, despite growing up abroad. Last year, I began researching legislation and immigration policy which influenced the emergence of Flushing, Queens as an Asian American enclave and its progression into a commercial district. Furthermore, I have been able to streamline my passion for photography and visual storytelling by supplementing my research with digital and analog photographs of Flushing and its residents.