Jahari Fraser.
Jahari Fraser.

Bard Posse Scholar Selected for Coveted Fellowship Program at Heinz College

Spring 2021 | Atlanta

Posse Scholar Jahari Fraser has been accepted to the PPIA Junior Summer Institute (JSI) Fellowship Program, a rigorous academic graduate level preparation program for undergraduate juniors committed to public service. A student at Bard College, Jahari will take graduate level courses at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy this summer as part of this unique, fully funded opportunity.

In addition to course work, Jahari will participate in a virtual speaker series, attend a graduate school expo, and meet with admissions counselors from Heinz College.

“I cannot be more thankful for those who have helped me get here,” says Jahari, acknowledging that a supportive network, including his Posse community, has been critical.

“I cannot be more thankful for those who have helped me get here.”

A Spanish and global and international studies major, Jahari is actively engaged in extracurricular activities both on and off campus. In his first year of college, Jahari created All Pieces Fit, a civic engagement program that works with children with autism at the Center for Spectrum Services in Lake Katrine, New York. He has also been a peer counselor for Bard’s Office of Residential Life and Housing and a tour guide for the college’s Office of Admissions .

During his first year at Bard, Jahari studied abroad in Oaxaca, Mexico. He hopes the rich, immersive experience will help him bring a global perspective to his studies at Heinz this summer.

Students who successfully complete PPIA JSI and are admitted to any of Heinz College’s full-time master’s programs receive a full-tuition scholarship and a stipend of $6,000 per year; Jahari hopes to be one of these students.

“As someone who plans to pursue a career in international development policy, I believe this is the perfect step for me,” he says.