Two University of Richmond Jepson School of Leadership Studies Students Awarded Selective Scholarships to Study at Oxford

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND — Two recent graduates of the University of Richmond —  Ally Osterberg and Benjamin Weiser — are heading to the University of Oxford to pursue one-year master’s degree programs through the Jepson Scholars Program.

Students apply for the competitive program, which was created in 2018, and the scholarships are awarded to graduating seniors who are either majoring or minoring in leadership studies through the Jepson School of Leadership Studies, the first undergraduate school of leadership studies.

The Jepson Scholars Program, which covers tuition, room, board, and fees for the one-year master’s programs, is funded through the Jepson Scholars Foundation, founded by Jepson School benefactors Robert S. Jepson Jr. and Alice Andrews Jepson. 

“The Jepsons’ vision for educating future global leaders — a vision I share — catapulted to the next level with the creation of the Jepson Scholars Program in 2018,” said Sandra Peart, dean of the Jepson School and president of the Jepson Scholars Foundation. “Building upon the Jepson School’s unique, ground-breaking education, the Jepson Scholars Program offers our students the chance to prepare further for leadership roles in a variety of fields through their studies at the renowned University of Oxford.” 

Ally Osterberg, from Lexington, North Carolina, will pursue a Master of Science in Latin American Studies. Osterberg, who graduated in May, double majored in leadership studies and Latin American, Latino, and Iberian studies. She completed 120 hours of community service annually as a Bonner Scholar during her last three years at Richmond. She also volunteered as a classroom aide and tutor and mentor to Hispanic students through several community-based-learning classes. The Jepson School presented her the Fredric M. Jablin Award for Undergraduate Research to conduct her Jepson senior honors thesis, “Does Civic Engagement Predict Moral Behaviors? A Test of Moral Theories.”

Benjamin Weiser, from Alpharetta, Georgia, will pursue a Master of Public Policy in Oxford's Blavatnik School of Government. Weiser graduated in December 2021 with a double major in leadership studies and political science. A political activist, Weiser completed summer internships in 2020 and 2021 — the first working on the U.S. Senate campaign of then Georgia Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff, the second working in the office of U.S. Sen. Ossoff. He also held numerous leadership roles on campus, including as a member of the Jepson Corps, a Richmond College Student Government Association senator, and a member of the President’s Student Cabinet.

To date, eight UR students have received these prestigious Jepson scholarships.