This past September, Augustana University student Zouhera Mahamed ‘27 was named a recipient of the Obama Foundation’s Voyager Scholarship (also known as the Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service). Created by former President Barack Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama and Brian Chesky, co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, Mahamed is only the second South Dakota student and third South Dakotan to have been awarded the scholarship.
A 2-year leader development and scholarship program, the Voyager Scholarship is awarded to students in support of their passion for helping others — allowing them to experience serving their communities and showing them what can be accomplished through public service. The scholarship offers students up to $50,000 in financial aid, as well as a $10,000 stipend and free Airbnb housing to pursue a summer work-travel experience or public service project.
Mahamed is also a recipient of the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS), a program that gives students opportunities to study languages and cultures vital to America's global involvement. She was halfway across the world studying Arabic through the program in Meknes, Morocco, when she learned she was a recipient of the scholarship.
“I was super excited,” she recalled. “I felt so happy and excited for all the opportunities I'd be able to receive through this scholarship and the like-minded individuals who I’ll meet. It feels nice to be able to get the word out about South Dakota. For all these programs that I apply to, I'm usually the only one in the Midwest, if not South Dakota. I'm representing South Dakota and I love it.”
Originally from Central Africa — born in Chad and raised in Cameroon — Mahamed moved to Sioux Falls with her family when she was seven years old and graduated from Jefferson High School. Double majoring in government & international affairs and international studies, Mahamed is involved in the Journey Scholars Program and Muslim Student Association on campus.
The scholarship is something of a family affair for Mahamed. Her sister, Rachida Mahamed ‘25, became the first South Dakotan to receive the scholarship in 2023. However, Zouhera was more attracted to what the scholarship could do for her than following in her sister’s footsteps.
“She was definitely an (inspiration), but she was not the main reason,” she shared. “I knew that the Voyager Scholarship would open doors for me to be able to step into this career and this field, allow me to learn more and connect me with the resources and funds to continue on this public service path that I want to pursue.”
For her summer project, Mahamed will focus on women’s equity. She is no stranger to its needs. As a former refugee, Mahamed said she saw firsthand how women’s health was a passing thought in the world of humanitarian aid. She is now trying to help fill in the gaps with the creation of the Empowerment, Dignity and Essential Needs (EDEN) Initiative. The EDEN Initiative has sent more than 27,000 sanitary pads to the Palestinian Territories and Brazil. She plans on keeping its mission alive and growing well after she graduates, thanks in part to the support of this scholarship.
“It’s something that I hope to continue to develop and be able to reach more people in more countries,” Mahamed said. “Pursuing an education, it's hard to help run an organization and get a degree all at once. With the resources and things that I learn from the Voyager Scholarship, I'll hopefully be able to continue to advance EDEN after graduation and run more projects to help more people across the world.”
Mahamed said her experiences at Augustana have further prepared her for being a recipient of the Obama Foundation’s scholarship — a foundation that prides itself in molding the leaders of tomorrow today.
“Augustana is really good at connecting you with resources and opportunities,” said Mahamed.
But Mahamed said students have to be willing to take chances, too.
“Just do it,” she said. “If you have a vision, a goal or something you're trying to pursue, the first thing to do is take that first step. I'm grateful to be a Voyager and I encourage everyone at Augustana to apply. We need more South Dakotans to get out there.”
To learn more about scholarship opportunities at Augustana and beyond, visit augie.edu/scholarships.