Whitehall native Allison Tate, a 2023 Whitehall High School graduate, has been selected as a 2025–2027 Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholar for Public Service.
Tate, now a junior at the University of Michigan, is the sole recipient from U-M in this year’s nationwide cohort of 100 students representing 71 colleges and universities. The Voyager Scholarship, created by former President Barack Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama, and Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, supports young leaders who are passionate about careers in public service.
The two-year program provides up to $50,000 in financial aid, a $10,000 Summer Voyage stipend with Airbnb travel credits, invitations to leadership summits, and access to a global network of mentors and leaders.
Academic and Career Focus
At the University of Michigan, Tate is pursuing a B.A. in Public Policy at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy with minors in International Security, Norms, and Cooperation (LSA) and Community Action and Social Change (SSW). Her academic focus centers on post-conflict reconstruction, transitional justice, and peace conciliation policy.
Over the past two summers, Tate has already built impressive international experience:
- 2025: Public Policy and Research Intern in Cape Town, South Africa, working on gender-based violence policy implementation and accountability.
- 2024: Donia Human Rights Center Fellow in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where she researched human rights in post-conflict societies, culminating in the international publication of her paper on Article 2 of the Windsor Framework.
Allison Tate’s Voyager Quote
“As a student from rural Midwestern America, I am deeply honored to be nationally recognized as a 2025–2027 Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholar for Public Service. I hope my selection serves as a reminder to young students in rural communities that they, too, can achieve anything they aspire to. Over the next two years, I look forward to exploring post-conflict reconstruction policy, transitional justice, and peace conciliation as I prepare for a career in international public service. I am profoundly grateful to the Obama Foundation, President Obama, and Mr. Chesky for this extraordinary honor and their belief in my potential. I cannot wait to see what the future holds—Go Blue!”
Whitehall Roots
“I was fortunate to grow up in a supportive environment—always with a roof over my head, food on the table, and the encouragement to dream big, knowing those dreams were achievable with hard work. Realizing that many young women abroad do not have the same freedoms or opportunities, and that countless people worldwide still struggle to meet their most basic needs, instilled in me a responsibility to give back. That awareness has fueled my passion for international public service and my desire to make a positive global impact.”
Photos below provided by Allison Tate
A Message for Local Students
“I hope students see that they too can achieve anything they set their minds to. Growing up in a small town, it can feel intimidating to step into larger, national, or international arenas. But I want them to know they are just as capable, qualified, and deserving of success as students from larger or more urban communities. Your roots should never limit your ambition.”
U-M Experience
Tate credits her time at the University of Michigan for providing a foundation of leadership, professional growth, and global perspective.
Clubs: Gerald R. Ford Leadership Forum (Founder and President of the U-M Chapter, Advisory Board Student Representative), Delta Gamma Phi Professional Pre-Law Sorority (Professional Development Chair), University of Michigan BlueMUN (Competitive Delegate), Sigma Iota Rho Honor Society (LinkedIn & Alumni Communications Chair), Central Student Government (Executive Branch).
Affiliations: Peace Corps Prep Program, International Institute, Donia Human Rights Center, UMICH Votes Fellowship, and Telling It (Juvenile Detention Center Intern).
Professional: Student Researcher for the U.S. Department of State through the Diplomacy Lab Initiative; 2024 DHRC Fellow with the Social Change Initiative in Belfast, Northern Ireland; 2025 PICS Longwoods Fellow and Global Individual Grant Recipient in Cape Town, South Africa.
“Together, these experiences holistically prepared me for this honor. My long-term involvement with the Ford Presidential Foundation sharpened my skills in bipartisanship and constructive dialogue, while my international research and State Department work gave me practical expertise in diplomacy and policy. These opportunities positioned me as a competitive candidate for the Voyager Scholarship.”
Photos below provided by Allison Tate
Ford School Impact
“At the Ford School, I plan to declare a thematic concentration in post-conflict reconstruction and peace conciliation policy this fall. This focus will allow me to take courses with renowned professors whose expertise directly aligns with my career goals. Beyond coursework, learning alongside peers who will become the next generation of policymakers, advocates, and leaders has been inspiring. The Ford School community has pushed me to work harder, aim higher, and never lose sight of the greater good.”
Voyager Goals
“Becoming an Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholar has been a dream since I first stepped on campus. The program offers me a unique opportunity to deepen my understanding of post-conflict policy through immersive field research and mentorship. I am especially excited to study peace conciliation and transitional justice in societies rebuilding after conflict, and to learn directly from diplomats and human rights advocates in the Voyager network.
On a personal note, I am thrilled to travel to Chicago in December to meet President Obama, Brian Chesky, and the rest of my cohort. As someone from a rural community who has long aspired to serve in international public service, meeting President Obama—someone I deeply admire—is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Summer Voyage
“I plan to explore the post-conflict human rights sector through a blend of international and domestic experiences. My vision is to spend part of the summer abroad conducting research in a post-conflict country in Asia or Africa, followed by time at a federal agency in Washington, D.C., and finally, gaining exposure to international governance in New York, ideally alongside the United Nations. This combination would allow me to see peacebuilding and human rights advocacy from multiple perspectives—academic, governmental, and multilateral.”
Gratitude and Mentors
Tate emphasized the importance of mentors, teachers, and family in shaping her journey.
- Jan Klco & National History Day: “Becoming a Junior Individual Exhibit National Champion, a Smithsonian NEH Scholar, and a State of Michigan Proclamation recipient in middle school set me on my trajectory. I credit Jan Klco for instilling in me the foundation of research and professional development that continues to guide me today.”
- Whitehall High School teachers: Jessy Thompson, Ingram Medendorp, Denis Koegel, Jen Dennis, and many others “pushed me to pursue ambitious goals. Their encouragement and recommendation letters enabled me to earn scholarships and opportunities that shaped my high school journey.”
- Family: “My parents, Susan and Brad Tate, and my younger brother, Brady, have been my constant support system. They’ve taught me empathy, integrity, and perseverance—qualities I carry with me into my career in public service.”
Advice for Rural Students
“As my National History Day coach, Jan Klco, always reminded me: ‘The answer is always no unless you ask.’ That advice has stuck with me. Whether it’s applying for a scholarship, submitting a research proposal, or stepping into an intimidating space, you have nothing to lose by trying—and everything to gain. My advice to students from rural communities is this: never let your upbringing define or limit you. Your background is your strength, and you are capable of achieving anything you set your mind to.”
About the Voyager Scholarship
The Voyager Scholarship: The Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service was launched in 2022 with a $100 million gift from Chesky to the Obama Foundation. The program was designed to provide students with resources, experiences, and networks that will help them build careers dedicated to public service in many fields—government, nonprofits, education, entrepreneurship, and the arts.
This year’s class includes students from 34 U.S. states and territories, more than half of whom are first-generation college students.
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