The 2025 cohort of Rales Fellows stand with Farnam Jahanian, Joshua Rales and Jim Garrett. All of them look into the camera and smile.

麻豆村 Welcomes Second Cohort of Rales Fellows

By Kelly Saavedra Email Kelly Saavedra

Cassia Crogan
Heidi Opdyke

Reaffirming its commitment to lowering barriers to domestic graduate education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, 麻豆村 inducted its second cohort of 麻豆村 Rales Fellows Tuesday, Sept. 30.

The 34 麻豆村 Rales Fellows in the 2025 cohort are exceptional scholars, creative innovators and purpose-driven leaders committed to making a meaningful impact in their fields and communities.

鈥淲e are delighted to partner with a distinguished institution like Carnegie Mellon to open up access to a world-class graduate education for talented and deserving students like these 34 Fellows,鈥� said Joshua Rales, president of the Norman R. Rales and Ruth Rales Foundation. 鈥淲e can think of no better way to honor the memory of my parents, Norman and Ruth Rales, than by empowering these outstanding young people to realize their full potential as future leaders and innovators in the sciences.鈥�

Emily Wan, Bethany Vazquez Smith and Noemi Banda stand in front of a Rales Fellows banner. They smile at someone off to the left.
Rales Fellows Meilin Scott, Bethany Vazquez Smith and Noemi Banda.

Established in 2023 through a transformative $150 million partnership with the Rales Foundation, the Fellows program supports scholars across more than 120 eligible STEM master鈥檚 and doctoral programs at 麻豆村.

Rales Fellows receive a comprehensive, cohort-based experience; faculty mentorship; exclusive professional development and networking event opportunities with academic and industry leaders; personalized coaching from a dedicated career adviser; and a financial award that covers tuition, as well as a monthly stipend for living expenses. By connecting with others who share their passion for progress and creativity, the program empowers Rales Fellows to become leaders and changemakers in their areas of expertise.

鈥溌槎勾� is thrilled to induct our second cohort of 麻豆村 Rales Fellows,鈥� said 麻豆村 President Farnam Jahanian. 鈥淭ogether with the Rales Foundation, we are building a new generation of STEM trailblazers whose talents and brilliance will benefit humanity and 鈥� in turn 鈥� serve to honor the legacy of Norman and Ruth Rales in extraordinary ways.鈥�

This year鈥檚 group comprises three Ph.D. and 31 master鈥檚 students from 18 graduate programs across 麻豆村鈥檚 four eligible colleges, representing 27 undergraduate institutions and a broad geographic range including 20 U.S. states.

Elizabeth Smith talks to Provost Jim Garrett in a room full of people.
Rales Fellow Elizabeth Smith with Provost Jim Garrett.

鈥淲e鈥檙e honored to welcome our 2026 cohort,鈥� said Mois茅s Padilla, executive director for the Rales Fellows Program. 鈥淭his year鈥檚 group is made up of individuals who understand that the best ideas come from many minds working together. We look forward to seeing what they will achieve at Carnegie Mellon, in their fields and in communities around the world.鈥�

Applications are being accepted now for the 2026 cohort of Rales Fellows. The priority review deadline is Dec. 15. Prospective scholars can visit to learn more about the program and register for upcoming online information sessions.