Powell Scholars are recipients of the university’s premier academic scholarship. We seek high achieving students from across all majors who demonstrate leadership potential, pursue creative endeavors and innovative research, and become game-changers in their communities both locally and globally. Powell Scholars are one-of-a-kind students, and it is a privilege to share in their personal and intellectual growth.
Welcome to the Powell Scholars Program!
More than just a scholarship, the Powell Scholars program is a ticket to life-altering experiences. In order to support their research and creative pursuits, Powell Scholars have access to funds for projects as well as for study abroad. Cultural enrichment is another central feature of the program.
Our students not only participate in field trips to world-class arts experiences, they also bring high profile speakers, artists, scholars and entrepreneurs to Pacific. Powell Scholars enjoy a dedicated study lounge, seminar room and brainstorming space in Callison Hall, an ideal setting for exchanging ideas, engaging in collaboration and refining individual and group projects.
Courtney Lehmann, Ph.D.
Director, Powell Scholars Program
Tully Knoles Professor of the Humanities
Professor of English
Annual merit scholarship
For independent research projects
For study abroad expenses
"University of the Pacific’s Conservatory is a fantastic environment for personal and musical growth. The faculty encourage ambitious independent projects that you would not be able to do at other schools. In my first semester of my freshman year at Pacific, I was able to create a student and faculty collaborative chamber series with the Assistant Dean of the Conservatory as my advisor. My private instructor is inspiring, challenging, and has helped me reach new levels in my musicianship. The Conservatory at Pacific is many things but most of all it is a family."
"As a participant in the California Civic Action fellowship, I served P.U.E.N.T.E.S., a local non-profit in the Stockton community, and Boggs Tract Community Farm, where I helped to promote healthy futures in the area by developing a K-12 curriculum for the farm's school garden. Throughout my service, I was able to see and apply political science concepts in action, while actively engaging and learning more about the diverse community - full of active, passionate, and inspiring individuals - that surrounds our campus. Participating in the program was a truly unforgettable experience and it helped me solidify my passion for public service and interest in public policy."
"Adjusting to a new school without being there in person has been intimidating, but the Powell Scholars Program has served as an incredible support system. Powell has introduced me to the greatest community of friends and mentors. I especially loved taking the Freshman Powell Leadership Seminar class because it allowed me to bond with my peers, while also gaining invaluable insight on how to succeed in college and beyond."
"The Powell Scholars program has been a wonderful developmental experience for me. I've relished the opportunity to meet like-minded people from a variety of disciplines, and share ideas and experiences. I greatly appreciate the close-knit culture within the Powell Scholars Program, and look forward to seeing my Powell friends in person soon."
Throughout her time at Pacific, Jessica Alva (Applied Mathematics '21) has studied abroad in Siena, Italy, and joined a competitive dance team, among many other things. Find out more about Jessica and why she chose Pacific.
As a Powell Scholar, Samantha Johnston '20 interned at an international economic development firm in Washington, D.C., studied in Spain, organized a student march to fight climate change, consulted for community nonprofits and honed her negotiation skills in Model United Nations conferences.
Samantha’s four years at Pacific double-majoring in Applied Economics and International Relations laid an excellent foundation for work on the global stage. “The best thing is that it has given me a really great, broad, big-picture perspective — big picture economy, big picture global perspective of how things work,” she said.
In fall 2020, Samantha entered Columbia University to study for a master’s degree in global thought.
The Powell Scholars Program has initiated several group projects, including teaching English as a foreign language in Dimen, China, and developing an intensive growing system for microgreens.
Special guest speakers and lecturers are brought to campus by the program. Past guests include Vijay Gupta, a violinist in the LA Philharmonic and activist, jazz great Wynton Marsalis and artist Gil Dellinger.
Past recipients of the Powell Exemplary Leader Award, an award given by the program to a leader who embodies one or more of the Nine Dimensions, include Malawian entrepreneur Ellen Chilemba and Humans of New York author Brandon Stanton.
Upon earning their undergraduate degrees, Powell alumni typically pursue graduate school, professional school, or fellowships and often earn entrance into the top programs in their chosen fields. Powell Scholars have gone on to masters and doctoral programs ranging from engineering to the natural sciences and the arts.
Powell Scholar alumni have pursued advanced degrees at Cal Tech, USC, Georgetown, William and Mary, University of Michigan, Northwestern, New York University and the Ivy League. Others have pursued law school, medical school, dentistry or pharmacy at schools including UC Davis, UC San Francisco, USC, Loyola Marymount and University of the Pacific.
Powell Scholars have also earned Fulbright Scholarships to Finland and South Korea.
Founded in 2019 by scholars Kelli Loritsch (Applied Mathematics and Physics '21) and Cassidy Johnson (Applied Mathematics and Computer Science '21), Quest for the Tests (QFTT) is a tutoring service dedicated to educating and preparing Stockton students for high stakes standardized testing (SAT/ACT) and ensuring success for students of all backgrounds. Currently, the service works with Stagg High School in Stockton remotely.
From 2014 through 2016, the Powell Scholars designed an intensive microgreen growing system for clients at the Calaveras Food Bank and Toyon Middle School in Valley Springs, Calif. This project was chosen based on the shared interests and combined talents of the Powell Scholars, as well as the desire to help a community damaged by forest fires.
Initiate a group, movement, or organization on campus or beyond to improve conditions in some way
Demonstrate leadership in an organization, research or artistic endeavor
Present, publish, or perform an original scholarly or creative project
Connect to the local, national, and international communities through voluntarism or other activities
Apply for and strive to win a prestigious fellowship or scholarship
Attend concerts, art exhibits, or lectures on and off campus
Gain insight to other cultures and international exposure by studying abroad or other avenues
Obtain hands-on experience in their field through internships or other avenues
Strive for the highest level of academic excellence
Since January 2012, the Powell Scholars have had their own space on campus. Callison Hall was remodeled thanks to the generosity of Jeannette Powell. She was so dedicated to the program that she not only personally oversaw the remodeling of Callison, but also used her expertise in interior design to furnish and decorate the building, including donating artwork.
Callison Hall is a space dedicated to academic, creative, and leadership activities for Powell Scholars and their guests. The building also houses the office of program director Courtney Lehmann.
Students who meet these minimum criteria are encouraged to apply by Dec. 1. A select number of finalists will be invited to campus to interview with the Powell Scholars selection committee.
Selected students will compete for up to 10 scholarships awarded annually by the university. Selection will involve a personal interview designed to assess each candidate's potential for intellectual and leadership development, international study, research and creative endeavors, and the ability to make a difference in the world.
Thanks to the remarkable gift from Bob and Jeannette Powell, the Powell Scholars receive generous scholarships, enrichment opportunities and funding for research and creative projects, as well as study abroad.
The Powells had been involved with Pacific since 1989, when Robert Powell began serving as a Regent. Jeannette Powell served as a Regent from 1999 until her death in 2012. She is the only person to have been granted lifetime Regent status. Robert Powell passed away the same year the program was founded, but Jeannette Powell remained passionately involved until her passing in 2012.
The Powells have provided our students with unprecedented opportunities to fulfill their individual goals and to work collectively toward realizing the Powells' vision for the Program which, in Jeannette’s memorable words, is to “find and follow your passions.”
