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Davis UWC Scholars and Skidmore College

Since 2004, Skidmore College has proudly partnered with the Davis United World College Scholars Program — an initiative that provides need-based scholarships to graduates of United World Colleges (UWC) high schools around the world. The program, founded by Shelby Davis and Philip O. Geier, aims to expand access to U.S. higher education for globally minded students and to help colleges like Skidmore internationalize their campuses in meaningful ways.

Read about celebrating 20 years of Davis UWC Scholars at Skidmore

Skidmore joined the Davis UWC network as part of the program’s first major expansion, following the original five pilot institutions: Colby, College of the Atlantic, Middlebury, Princeton, and Wellesley. Since then, dozens of Davis UWC Scholars have enrolled at Skidmore, bringing global perspectives, leadership, and a shared commitment to cross-cultural understanding.

United World Colleges operate with a clear mission: to make education a force for peace and a sustainable future. At Skidmore, Davis UWC Scholars live out that vision through academic engagement, community involvement, and a culture of collaboration. The first cohort of Davis Scholars at Skidmore — Suxin Cheah ’08, Joseph Kaifala ’08, and Kipsy Ndwandwe ’08 — set the tone for generations of globally engaged students who followed.

Each year, Davis Scholars at Skidmore come together for special events, dialogue, and shared connection. Scholars also receive support and communications from the College’s campus liaison, who helps connect them with Davis UWC–affiliated fellowships and opportunities. Among these is Projects for Peace, which funds student-led initiatives around the world focused on conflict resolution, community building, and sustainable impact.

“The mission of the Davis UWC Scholars Program is in direct alignment with so many of the values we celebrate at Skidmore College: learning from different worldviews, embracing challenges and being engaged citizens of the world. Through their leadership, motivation and compassion, our Davis Scholars make lasting impressions on the Skidmore community, and the education, opportunities and lifelong connections they gain at Skidmore help them pursue their dreams and inspire change around the globe.”Marc C. Conner, President