December 12, 2023

Undergraduate Research and Enrichment Programs is pleased to announce our 2023-24 cohort of Aspire Scholars. These fifteen Drexel sophomores have been selected based on their academic achievement, intellectual curiosity, engagement across Drexel and within their communities, and demonstrated potential for success.

Through the Aspire Scholars program, these students will participate in personal and professional development activities to further develop and clarify their goals while making connections and gaining tools to expand their network. We are excited to see them grow and look forward to supporting them in their future endeavors!

Read more about these students on our Scholar Profiles page.

Top row from left to right:

• Aidan Asmus, accounting & finance '27
• Derrick Banks Jr., game design & production '27
• Olivia Do, computing & security technology '27
• Jodi Gahn, English '27
• Carrie Gordon, biological sciences '26

Middle row from left to right:

• Tiguida Kaba, global studies '27
• Ansh Kapoor, mechanical engineering '27
• Madhu Karuppiah, biomedical engineering '26
• Poppy Martínez, custom-designed major in fashion anthropology '26
• Maria Mixon, legal studies '27

Bottom row from left to right:

• Oluwakemi Openibo, behavioral economics '27
• Kira Quitel, environmental science '26
• Miliani Smith, public health '26
• Julia Wiafe-Jackson, global studies '26
• Emily Woodland, biomedical engineering '27

The Pennoni Honors College is dedicated to fostering innovation, creativity, and intellectual exchange among undergraduates at Drexel University. The Aspire Scholars Program is rooted in these values. Following an optional nomination process and open application period, students are evaluated on a basis of their intellectual curiosity and openness, engagement in areas of interest, and desire to reflect on and take steps toward realizing longer term goals. This year, 39 students applied to the program and 20 progressed to the interview stage.

These fifteen students selected as Aspire Scholars are an impressive group drawn from across the University. They bring different perspectives and backgrounds to the program and are eager to learn from one another and grow their professional network.

For more information about the Aspire Scholars program, visit our Aspire Scholars page.