CUNYverse
CUNYverse
CUNYverse
10.15.2025 | by Jackie Miguel
Baruch College student Isabel Torres is a 2025-27 recipient of the Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship, an award given to college students moving from their second into their third undergraduate year who show dedication to public service.
The scholarship’s leadership development program provides financial aid, work-travel experience and access to a robust network of role models and mentors for aspiring public service leaders.
Torres recently transferred from Queensborough Community College to Macaulay-Baruch via the Friedman Transfer Scholars Program.
CUNYverse spoke with Torres about her accomplishment and how it will advance her academic and professional journey. Her responses were lightly edited for clarity and length.
IT: I graduated from QCC in May with an associate degree in business administration. While I was there, I was co-captain of the women’s volleyball team and ran track. At one point, I was also student government president and a University Student Senate delegate. In both roles, I worked to enhance student experiences on campus.
I’m now in my first semester at Baruch and things are going well. I’m a public affairs major minoring in psychology and New York City studies. I’m on the women’s volleyball team and the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, helping to host events and promote upcoming games. I’m interested in getting more involved with the Macaulay community and Macaulay Scholars Council.
IT: I once met someone in Puerto Rico who incidentally happened to be in the country for the Voyager scholarship. During our initial conversation, she explained what it was, and because I was interested, I kept in contact with her throughout the years as I was preparing my application.
The best piece of advice she gave me was to “share your story” because a lot of applicants have random public service things they do that are not really connected. All of the public service that I have stems from the theme of providing access and opportunity for those who don’t have it. So, I highlighted that in my application.
IT: Impostor syndrome was definitely there at first. But now, I feel that I won for a reason. I already have the drive [for public service], and with this scholarship, I have the opportunity to do great things. It has lit a fire in me. I feel great. I had a bit of doubt in the beginning, but I feel much better.
IT: I went to public school my entire life, and I am grateful for all the programs and opportunities that were available to me.
But I was also inspired by my high school volleyball coach. When I was on the team, I couldn’t afford a lot of the gear that we needed for the season, and he would provide me with used items so I could play. And he would say, “Of course. People helped me. It’s my job to help you.” And that stuck with me. This idea that I’ve been helped, so I should also help.
IT: I once hosted a free volleyball clinic for the youth in my neighborhood. I partnered with my former high school for equipment. I created marketing materials and sent it to a couple of the high schools in my neighborhood. I got a turnout of 16 girls and I had some people come and help me out. It was a really good experience.
Before I attended QCC, I was also a volunteer for the nonprofit organization, Tools & Tiaras. They emphasize the idea that “jobs don’t have genders” by offering young girls hands-on workshops with trades women and teaching the girls to use power tools.
This was one of the Tools and Tiaras workshops that I volunteered for. It was at an Architecture firm.
IT: After graduating, I want to get my master’s in a field like urban planning or social work. I’m still undecided, but I want it to be something in the public service realm. I also want to enter the nonprofit sector and have goals of one day founding my own nonprofit.
Overall, I’m going with the flow, seeing what resonates with me. My biggest thing is I don’t want my career to feel like a job. When I’m volunteering, when I’m doing things for the public good, it doesn’t feel like work. It feels like I’m just living, and that’s what I want my career to be.
The biggest thing the Obama Foundation is emphasizing now is knowing yourself and what you stand for.
Also, just apply. You never know what will happen.
Scholarship applications are now closed but will reopen in January. For additional information, visit the website.
Hi! My name is Jackie, and I am an LA born but Queens raised student. I love doodling in my free time, watching movies and learning languages! 🙂
Hunter ’26, LaGuardia ’24 Liberal Arts and Social Sciences major
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