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Barbour Scholars

The Barbour Scholarship program was originally endowed by Levi Barbour in 1917 to support female graduate students from Asia and the Middle East.

Among the oldest and most prestigious awards granted by the University of Michigan, offering funding to female students from Asia and the Middle East since 1917.

The Rackham Graduate School celebrated the 100-year anniversary of the Barbour Scholarship throughout 2017. Barbour Scholars gathered to share their experiences and look to the future of the education of Asian women.

Graphic design. Text: Barbour Scholars 2023-2024

Announcing the 2023-2024 Barbour Scholars

Established more than a century ago by Regent Levi Barbour, the prestigious Barbour Scholarship funds exceptional women from Asia and the Middle East as they pursue their graduate education at the University of Michigan.

A photo of Mervat Hatem beside a cover of one of her books.

Representation Matters: Bringing Firsthand Experience to Political Science

Rackham political science alumna and Barbour Scholarship recipient Mervat Hatem has dedicated her career to understanding the complex political realities that shape the world around us. Through a generous gift to Rackham, she’s working to ensure a new generation of scholars can follow in her footsteps.

Lili Liu

A Global Responsibility

Barbour Scholarship alumna Lili Liu has spent her career with the World Bank, helping governments around the world better serve their people.

Text reading "Barbour Scholars, 2022-2023" over a blue background.

Announcing the 2022-2023 Barbour Scholars

Established more than a century ago by Regent Levi Barbour, the prestigious Barbour Scholarship funds exceptional women from Asia and the Middle East as they pursue their graduate education at the University of Michigan.

Two women sit in an office.

Barbour Scholar and Business Owner

A former engineer and Barbour Scholar alumna Preeti Bansal Kshirsagar (M.P.H. ‘15) has created space for herself in the healthcare field. Now a dietitian-nutritionist with extensive training in integrative and functional medicine, Preeti runs a successful wellness practice focused on research-based holistic health. She shares how her experience at Rackham and the support of her community helped with the transition.

Total Scholars by Discipline

  • Biological and Health Science 21.02% 21.02%
  • Humanities and the Arts 20.63% 20.63%
  • Physical Sciences and Engineering 20.24% 20.24%
  • Social Sciences 38.11% 38.11%
  • Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) 2.27% 2.27%

Degrees Earned by Barbours

  • Bachelor’s Degree 3.07% 3.07%
  • Master’s Degree 36.25% 36.25%
  • Doctoral Degree 57.77% 57.77%
  • Juris Doctor (J.D.) 0.65% 0.65%

Not all program data available.