From the estate of Sara E. Mathews, scholarships are awarded annually to international students. Administered by the Division of Global Engagement, this scholarship is granted to deserving undergraduate international degree-seeking students of Sophomore or Junior standing at UC Santa Cruz to help with educational costs.
The 2025 Sara Mathews Scholarship recipients include Aida Fahimi, Minnie Zheng, and Sankritya Anand Rai.
“The 2025 Sara Mathews Scholarship recipients have demonstrated a sincere commitment to promoting global awareness and understanding on campus,” said Catherine Murphy, international student advisor and this year’s Sara Mathews Scholarship committee chair. “They were selected for their academic excellence and involvement in a variety of activities that enrich our campus community. Congratulations on your award!”
Sara Mathews Scholarships, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, are awarded during spring quarter.
Eligible students can learn more by visiting the ISSP financing and scholarships webpage.
Scholarship Recipient Profiles
Aida Fahimi
Major – Applied Linguistics and Multilingualism
I would like to express my deep gratitude for being awarded the Sara Mathews Scholarship. It will certainly help ease some of my financial burden, especially as I prepare for the upcoming summer session. I plan to take classes during the summer to stay academically active and continue contributing to campus life. Receiving this scholarship is a tremendous source of motivation as it reminds me to keep going and stay committed to my goals. Looking back at the sacrifices I made after leaving my home country, Italy, at the age of 28, this scholarship feels both like a reward and a powerful reminder that, despite life’s challenges, there are always unexpected and meaningful opportunities along the way.
I’m currently working toward my bachelor’s degree in Applied Linguistics and Multilingualism, along with a TESOL certification. As I’ve progressed in my studies, I’ve found myself falling in love more and more with the world of applied linguistics. The idea of engaging in research, especially in areas like second language acquisition, bilingualism, and second language teaching, and using that knowledge to make a long-lasting contribution to the field gives me the fuel to keep pushing forward, well beyond my bachelor’s degree. One of my current aspirations is to continue my academic journey by pursuing a master’s degree or a Ph.D., and eventually teach Italian at a four-year university in California.
Minnie Zheng
Major – Computer Science
This scholarship will allow me to dedicate more time to my studies, research, and internships rather than worrying about financial stress. I will take this scholarship as a recognition of my hard work, which encourages me to keep excelling in the courses and contributing more diversity as an international student to the UCSC community. With less financial pressure, I could also pursue more internships or research projects that would enhance my skills related to the fields I’m interested in.
Academically, I plan to pursue graduate studies in an economics-related field to deepen my understanding of financial markets, investment strategies, and global economic policies. This advanced education will provide the knowledge I need for my future goals. Professionally, I aim to work as an asset manager or in an international finance-related role, helping individuals and businesses optimize their investments.
Sankritya Anand Rai
Major – Computer Science
This scholarship will help me continue my education at UC Santa Cruz over the summer, giving me the room to explore different subjects that I can’t normally incorporate into my schedule!
I plan to continue working under Dr Abel Souza conducting research on Linux scheduling techniques and eventually pursuing a PhD program in operating systems!