Fifth Year Scholars
Established in 1991 through a collaborative effort between students and faculty, the Fifth Year Scholar program offers Carnegie Mellon students a unique opportunity to broaden their intellectual pursuits beyond their standard coursework.
The program provides a tuition-free, $7,000 fellowship for a full fifth year of study. This enables students to engage in enriched educational experiences and contribute meaningfully to the CMU community through a community impact project. These projects merge academic pursuits with metacurricular involvement to address a campus need or fulfill personal and professional interests.
CMU benefits greatly from the additional year of contributions from these scholars who uphold a tradition of excellence.
Upcoming Information Sessions
- Tuesday, October 28, 2025 | 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Cohon University Center, Pake Room - Sunday, November 16, 2025 | 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Via Zoom - Thursday, December 4, 2025 | 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Cohon University Center, Pake Room
2025-2026 Fifth Year Scholars
Sruti Bapatla
Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering and Bass Performance
How did you come to choose CMU?
Growing up, my time was always split between playing in orchestras and building robots. CMU's BXA program, which not only allowed me to pursue both my passions but also combine them, was a natural fit. I got to chat with a few BXA alumni before committing to CMU, and their tales of how passionate and inclusive the students are confirmed that CMU is the right school for me.
What has the Fifth Year Scholar opportunity allowed you to explore?
Because of the fifth year scholar opportunity, I was able to study abroad in Costa Rica, which re-ignited my passion for environmental work and sustainability. I have also been able to explore my interest in teaching, through being a teaching assistant at CMU and volunteering as an English tutor in Pittsburgh.
What is a quote that reflects how you think about your education?
“Education without social action is a one-sided value because it has no true power potential.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
What are people surprised to learn about you?
I walk and foster dogs with a local animal shelter!
Carmen Hagerty
Civil Engineering
How did you come to choose CMU?
I grew up near Pittsburgh and was lucky enough to interact with the CMU community pretty frequently. I was often inspired by the people I met. By coming to CMU, I knew that I would be able to surround myself with interesting people and stay motivated to keep personally growing.
What has the Fifth Year Scholar opportunity allowed you to explore?
I love that Fifth Year Scholar allows me to explore my personal interests at CMU. After choosing a major freshman year, it can be hard to find the time to try out other fields while focusing on your own curriculum. I now have a chance to take urban design, fabrication, and psychology classes. I appreciate how my fifth year makes my education feel even more interdisciplinary and that I get an extra year to figure out what I may want to do with my life!
What is a quote that reflects how you think about your education?
"Choosing to learn makes it easy to change."
What are people surprised to learn about you?
I was missing my front tooth for almost all of my sophomore year.
Deya Liao
Computer Science, Film and Visual Media
How did you come to choose CMU?
I chose CMU for its interdisciplinary opportunities: I wanted to still be creative even if I was a STEM major!
What has the Fifth Year Scholar opportunity allowed you to explore?
Academically, this Fifth Year Scholar opportunity has allowed me to complete an additional major in Film & Visual Media, a minor in History, and study abroad in Ireland (and still have time to do more!). On a professional level, this scholarship has provided me the opportunity to explore my interests in digital and visual media on a broader level––and engage in community involvement in the process.
What is a quote that reflects how you think about your education?
"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." – Dr. Seuss
What are people surprised to learn about you?
I love hosting events!
Lucia Shen
English
How did you come to choose CMU?
I chose CMU because of how I could easily branch out into multiple disciplines–I had many interests that I wanted to explore during my time in college like theatre, fine arts, political science, computer science, design, and literature. I knew I wanted to study English, but I also wanted to be able to explore my other passions in full.
What has the Fifth Year Scholar opportunity allowed you to explore?
This opportunity is allowing me to explore the field of interactive media and game design! I’m taking every class I can that allows me to work on projects that excite me and that I didn’t get to take, or wouldn’t have had the opportunity to take in my undergrad such as the Transformational Game Design Studio or an intermediate art studio on game interactivity. I am discovering more about my love for designing experiences that center play and exploring my interest in storytelling through new and experimental mediums.
What is a quote that reflects how you think about your education?
There are two quotes from Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way” that I’ve been thinking about:
“Leap, and the net will appear.”
“Serious art is born from serious play.”
What are people surprised to learn about you?
I’m really bad at juggling.
Isabella Sierra
Business and Film Studies
How did you come to choose CMU?
I chose to come to CMU because I felt it would be the best place for me to grow as a person, not only academically but also personally. Everyone at Carnegie holds themselves to such high standards, and it creates infectious enthusiasm.
What has the Fifth Year Scholar opportunity allowed you to explore?
The Fifth Year Scholar opportunity has allowed me to expand my knowledge in Archives and Photography, as well as launch the Life at CMU Ambassador program! What free time I have left is spent with Greek life and the CMU volleyball program.
What is a quote that reflects how you think about your education?
“A learning curve is essential to growth.” – Tammy Bjelland
What are people surprised to learn about you?
People are surprised to learn that I am an Eagle Scout and can start a fire, pitch a tent, or hike into the back country at a moment's notice!
Fifth Year Scholar Alumni
Class of 2025
Class of 2024
Martha Spletzer - Chemistry
Class of 2023
Olivia Cunnally - Film, Visual Media, and Art
David Peebles - Music
Class of 2022
Shahmeer Ahmad - Information Systems
Mariyam Amir - Information Systems
kai ell denazen - Student Defined Major
Robin Kuo - Materials Science and Engineering
Carolyn Youstra, Mechanical Engineering
Class of 2021
Nahin Khan - Biological Sciences
Rie Ohta - Computer Sciences
Julia Scherb - Global Studies
Class of 2020
Cory Bird - Biological Sciences
Miranda Mlincek - Biological Sciences
Joyce Wang - Computer Sciences and Art
Class of 2019
Shreya Desikan - Biological Sciences and Psychology
Andrew Edwards - Art
Russell Holbert - Music Performance
Joseph Paetz - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Class of 2018
Aliaa Essameldin - Computer Science
Michael James - Drama
Lauren Valley - Art
Nick Wilson - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Class of 2017
Jamie Earnest - Art
Rachel Freer - Materials Science and Engineering, Biomedical Engineering
Angela Ng - Civil Engineering
Todd Medema - Technology, Entrepreneurship and Design
Nitsan Shai - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Class of 2016
Jack Montgomery - Information Systems
Erik Pintar - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Minnar Xie - Humanities and Arts
Class of 2015
Josh Claudio - English
Zhijun Huang - Economics and Mathematical Sciences, Statistics and Computational Finance
Sejal Popat - Art, Logic and Computation
Class of 2014
Afnan Fahim - Computer Science Major, Business Administration Minor
Nick Hurt - Business Administration Major, Film and Media Studies Minor
Class of 2013
Class of 2012
Jessica Dickinson Goodman - Ethics, History and Public Policy with Vocal Performance Minor
Rachel Inman - Industrial Design with Business Administration Minor
Class of 2011
Keghani Kouzoujian - Computer Science
Raedun Knutsen - Architecture and History
Luther B. Young III - Industrial Design
Class of 2010
Eric W. Barndollar - Music Composition and Computer Science with Music Technology and Conducting Minors
Bradley Hall - Mechanical Engineering with an Industrial Design Minor
Ryan Woodring - Fine Art with French and Francophone Studies Minors
Class of 2009
Mary Grace DeForest - Operation Research and Statistics
George Diabes - Chemistry, Hispanic Studies, and Business Administration
Class of 2008
Alicia Pompei - Communication Design with a concentration in Business Management
Classes of 1992-2007
2006-2007
Darbi Roberts
Rose Lapka
Mike Sczerban
Clayton Barlow-Wilcox
2005-2006
Nurveen Marwah
Mark Egermann
Diane Loviglio
2004-2005
Tara Gilbreath
Andrew Widdoson
Roger Ma
Ashok Kanagasundram
Carissa Sain
2003-2004
Robin Hewlett
Lara Panis
Rebecca Deustch
2002-2003
Lisa Podgurski
2001-2002
Marcus Louie
Chris Noser
Bill Kofmehl
2000-2001
Jean Vettel (H&SS, Professional Writing)
Anne Ray (H&SS, Creative Writing, History)
Elisabeth Nadolny (MCS, CIT, Biological Science, Chemical Engineering) Ignacio Filipinni (CFA, Industrial Design)
Amanda Kraus (H&SS, Social History)
Paul Jacobs (SIA, Business Administration, History, Policy, & Philosophy)
1999-2000
Andrew Artz (CIT, ECE)
Stacey Jenkins (H&SS, Creative & Professional Writing)
Jason Martin (H&SS, Psychology)
Jessica Phillips-Silver (BHA, Music & Psychology)
Julie Wilson (H&SS, Political Science, Social History, Spanish)
1998-1999
Elin Warn (CFA, Music, MCS, Environmental Science)
1997-1998
Jenny Good (H&SS, English, Spanish)
Adam Klivans (CS)
Ken Kraemer (IM)
Everett Neal (MCS, Chemical & Industrial Management
1996-1997
David Bauer (CIT)
Jill Goodall (H&SS, Psych)
Kerry Hagan (CIT, CFA, Music)
Mike Leonard (MCS, Math)
Denise Soultanian (CFA, Art)
1995-1996
Kate Bazis (CFA, Art)
Aaron Kozbelt (H&SS, Psych)
Larry Mathers (CIT)
Derek Wahila (CS)
1994-1995
Danny Dalal (CS)
Jeff Dorsey (CFA)
Emma Gosden (IM)
1993-1994
Matt Adler
Laura Ahr Larson
Rhonda Stuminger
1992-1993
Jennifer Bourque (H&SS, English)
Nicole Brockmann (CFA, Music)
Jaquelynn Cuccaro (IM, SDS, H&SS, History
Michael Ewedosh (IM)
Russell Lehrer (CIT, Chem E)
Paul Sollimo (CFA, Design)
Ulysses Wu (IM, H&SS, Econ)
1991-1992
Jennifer Arscott (CFA, Art)
Ingrid Bromberg (CFA, Art)
Paul Hachten (H&SS, Psych)
Robert O'Toole (CIT)
Kelli Satterwhite (MCS)