A teenage passion for environmentalism has led one Fordham student to a prestigious scholarship.
Lillian Hertel, an honors student double-majoring in political science and environmental studies, is the first Ram to earn the Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service, also known as the Voyager Scholarship. The scholarship, created by Barack and Michelle Obama and Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, offers students up to $50,000 in financial aid, an immersive work-study experience, up to $10,000 in travel vouchers, and $2,000 in Airbnb credits each year for the next decade.
The two-year program also includes access to a global network of mentors and leaders, as well as a summit in Chicago where Voyagers will hear from President Obama himself.
Beginning next summer, Hertel will spend the work-study portion of the program in Norway, where she plans to work in the realm of climate law. The Minneapolis native also hopes to explore her Norwegian ancestry during her time in the program, which marks her first trip to Norway.
Exceeding Her Own Expectations
Although Hertel certainly has an impressive public service resume—she’s already founded a successful nonprofit—she never expected to be selected. She was first referred to the Office of Fellowship Advising by Professor Jordan Stein, director of the Honors Program, for a Udall scholarship, which she didn’t get.
“I almost didn’t apply for the Voyager scholarship,” said Hertel, a junior who is currently studying in Paris. “I definitely didn’t think I’d make it past the semifinalist stage.”
But Hertel submitted her application and ultimately succeeded. When she got the news, she was with her mom. “She hugged me and started jumping around,” Hertel said.
For Stein, it was less unexpected.
“Lillian had the grades, the academic interest, and the willingness to take a big swing—I’m delighted but not surprised that she hit a home run,” Stein said. He called her accomplishment “a strong reflection of the fact that a Fordham education sets students up for success.”
Taking Action on the Climate Crisis
Hertel said her passion for environmental protection began the summer before she started high school. She was reading about climate change and feeling increasingly anxious about its implications.
“And of course that made me want to join local groups and do something,” she said.
But Hertel struggled to find her place. Most organizations didn’t accept youth volunteers. When she did join an environmental group, she felt unprepared for the work.
That experience inspired Hertel to found Students Stand Up, a nonprofit that helps young people become organizers. During the six-week program, students learn about civics and the history of youth-led movements, as well as “hard organizing skills,” like how to obtain a protest permit or run an effective social media campaign. The students are then paired with volunteer organizations based on their interests.
The group, founded in 2020, now runs between two and four online cohorts per year, each with 20 to 50 participants aged 12 to 19.
Looking Ahead
While in Norway, Hertel plans to explore how the country—which, like the United States, is a major oil exporter—is making the transition to a greener economy. She also hopes to learn whether she’d prefer working in government, as a lawyer for the EPA, perhaps, or at an advocacy group.
In the meantime, she’s enjoying her time in Paris—and dreaming about how she’ll use those Airbnb credits.
