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Two Hunter College Students Named 2012 Jeannette K. Watson Fellows

Two Hunter College Students Named 2012 Jeannette K. Watson Fellows

Kwame Ocran and Andrea Montesdeoca

Hunter College students Andrea Montesdeoca and Kwame Ocran have been awarded 2012 Jeannette K. Watson Fellowships. The three-year Fellowship program offers paid summer internships, mentoring, and enhanced educational opportunities to New York City undergraduates who demonstrate exceptional promise, outstanding leadership skills and commitment to the common good.

A second year Dean's List student, Montesdeoca is a member of the student welfare committee of the Undergraduate Student Government. She earned the Hunter College First Year Achievement Award and is a member of the Chi Alpha Epsilon Society.

A second year Macaulay Honors College student, Ocran was a senator in the Hunter student government and served as the Commissioner of the Macaulay Honors Council. He has earned both a University Scholar merit scholarship and a Hertog Scholarship.

Both Montesdeoca and Ocran are about to begin the process of interviewing for their first Watson summer internships. In the past, Hunter College recipients have spent their first summer at such organizations as the New-York Historical Society, Global Kids, and the Wildlife Conservation Society at the Bronx Zoo.

Established by the Thomas J. Watson Foundation in 1999, the Fellowship operates on the principle that "talent is broadly distributed but only selectively developed."  Watson Fellows have their pick of coveted job placements over three consecutive summers in non-profit agencies, business organizations, and government service that give them a chance to grow and develop interpersonal skills and gain self-confidence in a variety of professional settings. In the third summer, Watson Fellows can apply for an international assignment through partnerships with the Institute of International Education, the International Planned Parenthood Federation, Save the Children, and many other organizations.

A summer series of weekly seminars further enhances the learning experience by encouraging debate and interaction and also by providing an opportunity for Watson Fellows to share learning from their work experiences. Visits to cultural institutions like Shakespeare in the Park, the New York Botanical Garden, and the Museum of Natural History enable students to discover New York City's free summer offerings. Every Watson Fellow receives a stipend as compensation and support for summer employment and continuing Fellowship obligations. 

Twelve colleges compete annually for 15 Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship openings; at least one college from each borough is included in the group of eligible schools. Each school may nominate up to four candidates to send to the citywide selection panels.

Previous Hunter College recipients include Talia Krevsky and Long Tran ('07), Joseph Eastman and Peter Michalakis ('08),Tyler Alterman ('09), David Bonilla and Sabina Ibarrola ('10), and Kyle Athayde and Agnieszka Gugala ('11).

For more information about the Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship or to receive an application packet, contact Myrna Fader at mfader@hunter.cuny.edu.

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