The College of Staten Island is proud to announce that Macaulay Honors student Esther Adewoyin has been selected as a 2026 recipient of the prestigious Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship, a highly competitive program that provides funding for three summers of international internships, mentorship, and professional development.
Adewoyin, a sophomore Macaulay Honors College scholar majoring in International Studies and Economics with a minor in French, was chosen for her academic excellence, leadership, and deep commitment to global engagement and service. Through the Watson Fellowship, she will have the opportunity to explore career pathways aligned with her passion for international development while gaining hands-on experience across diverse cultural and professional settings.
“I am very grateful to God for the opportunity and for putting me in this position,” she said. “All of the students who are eligible for a fellowship bring uniqueness and diversity in their portfolio, so to be selected for this honor feels very special. It is such a big honor to be thought of in this way and to be a representative for the Watson Fellowship.”
Before attending CSI, Adewoyin demonstrated a strong commitment to advocacy and leadership while a high schooler in Nigeria, where she participated in YouthHubAfrica’s Girls’ Voices Summit and was recognized as a leading finalist nationwide for her work promoting the empowerment of young girls. She has continued that dedication to service on Staten Island, volunteering with CSI’s Food Pantry and serving as a summer camp counselor, where she received an award for her outstanding performance and dedication.
“I honestly believe that one good turn deserves another, and so any good I do will come back to me at some point,” she said about her call for community service. “Working with young girls and children and hearing firsthand stories has really touched me to the point that I want to be an impact for them when I can. Just a little something you can do for someone else can make a world of difference and inspire others to do the same.”
Adewoyin has also pursued professional development opportunities that reflect her civic-minded focus. She participated in the CUNY Career Launch Internship Program, serving as a National Program & Evaluation Intern with Generation Citizen, an organization that partners with schools to promote community-based civic education.
Her long-term aspirations include a career in international development, with interests in the Foreign Service and with international economic analysis. Adewoyin hopes to contribute to policymaking that supports sustainable growth and improved quality of life in developing nations.
This summer, she will be working as an intern with the Fulbright Program Management team. In this role, she will be able to evaluate research and make access easier for students and scholars looking for international education opportunities. She has given thought to potential work with girls’ education and mentorship programs in Turkey and the Philippines in future summers, although she plans to keep her options open. “No matter what, I want to work with children to improve their future,” she said.
The Watson Fellowship, administered by The Watson Foundation, is awarded annually to a select group of students from partner institutions across New York City. Fellows receive funding for three consecutive summers of immersive work experiences, along with mentorship and enrichment programming designed to foster leadership and global perspective.
For more information on all of this year’s Fellows, visit the Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship Website.
