USC’s Edwin Saucedo named a 2019 Schwarzman Scholar, will study in Beijing

USC graduate student Edwin Saucedo has been selected as a 2019 Schwarzman Scholar and will undertake a one-year master’s program at Tsinghua University in Beijing.

Saucedo, 22, received his bachelor’s degree in public policy, planning and development this year from the USC Price School of Public Policy, where he is now pursuing a Master of Public Administration. A first-generation college student, he served as USC’s Undergraduate Student Government president from 2016-2017. He is a USC Presidential Scholar, a USC Norman Topping Scholar and a Gates Millennium Scholar.

“Edwin is an extraordinary example of what it means to be a USC student and alumnus,” said USC Provost Michael Quick. “He is smart, motivated and determined. He has been a fearless advocate for low-income and first-generation students, and worked tirelessly in USC student government, city government and on political campaigns.  I congratulate him on his achievement and I look forward to his continued leadership in both local and global communities.”

Originally from South Gate, Saucedo is currently a Jesse M. Unruh Assembly Fellow with the California State Legislature. He hopes to serve marginalized communities by fostering trade and investment in underserved areas.

As China’s influence in California and the United States continues to grow, I believe it is important to understand the country through firsthand experience.

Edwin Saucedo

“As China’s influence in California and the United States continues to grow, I believe it is important to understand the country through firsthand experience,” Saucedo said Monday. “I hope to use this experience to understand international opportunities for growth and partnerships in low-income and marginalized communities. At the same time, I’m excited to be part of an amazing network of scholars whom I can learn from and grow with.”

Saucedo is among 142 students from 97 universities in 39 countries chosen for the third class of the Schwarzman Scholars, a master’s degree program founded by Blackstone chairman, CEO and co-founder Stephen A. Schwarzman. Inspired by the Rhodes Scholarships, the Schwarzman Scholars Program aims to educate and prepare exceptional men and women to confront the most difficult challenges of the coming century and develop an understanding of China necessary to lead in the future.

Experience and potential

Scholars are selected based on leadership experience and potential, intellectual and academic ability, including the capacity to understand emerging trends, design solutions and inspire others to a vision, and strength of character.

Program founder Schwarzman praised the new group of scholars.

“Meeting these people from all over the world, who at such a young age have already started to make an impact in their respective fields, has been truly inspiring,” Schwarzman said.

Youqiang Wang, dean of Schwarzman Scholars, emphasized the scholars’ achievements and aspirations.

“They will begin a new chapter of their lives and be given the opportunity to explore China on the global stage,” he said.

The full list of scholars is available on the Schwarzman Scholars site.