Andres Ortiz, a freshman in The City College of New York’s Honors Program, was named on May 11 as one of the recipients of the Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship for 2028. Ortiz, who is double majoring in economics and philosophy, is among 15 undergraduates from New York City colleges and universities selected for this competitive award.
The fellowship provides three years of personal, professional, and cultural experiences both in the United States and abroad. Fellows receive annual funding that increases each year—$7,500 in the first year, $9,000 in the second year, and $10,000 in the third—along with a $2,500 Discovery Fund to support their development.
Ortiz was born and raised in Washington Heights near The City College. For his first summer as a Watson Fellow, he will intern with AFS Intercultural Programs on its Youth Assembly Team. “My job will be to help prepare for, plan, and execute the Youth Assembly Event in partnership with the United Nations,” Ortiz said. “This year’s Youth Assembly will be held in Geneva, Switzerland from August 12 to the 14th where I will spend a week plus as part of my internship running the event.”
In addition to receiving the Watson Fellowship, Ortiz has been awarded a Moynihan Public Service Fellowship by CCNY’s Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership. This two-year award totals $20,000 and supports undergraduate students pursuing careers in public service through elective courses focused on professional development and two paid summer internships within city government or other public service institutions.
Ortiz is part of CCNY’s Class of 2029 and has plans to pursue further prestigious scholarships such as Truman and Fulbright awards. He also aims to attend law school with aspirations for a career that combines international relations with public service. “I am very interested in international relations and commerce as well as public service and policy. I want a career in law where I can somehow combine the two and be a well-rounded global citizen helping as many people as I can,” he said.
The Thomas J. Watson Foundation was established in 1961 as a charitable trust honoring Thomas J. Watson Sr., known for building IBM. The foundation offers programs through more than 100 global partnerships aimed at providing students opportunities to broaden their perspectives.
