UWC Scholars Add to Multicultural Vibrancy of Queens University

Emma Lashley ’27 and Andrea Arcia Jarquin ‘27 recognized as newest cohort of the Davis United World College (UWC) Scholars Program

Queens University recently welcomed its third cohort of students from the Davis United World College (UWC) Scholars Program. Launched in 2000, the program is the world’s largest, privately funded, international scholarship program—supporting undergraduates from 165 nations in 18 locations across five continents. UWC provides opportunities for international students from all over the world to attend American universities with the intention of creating diverse experiences across campus communities.

Before coming to Queens, UWC Scholars are selected by special, independent committees in their home countries to complete the last two years of high school at one of the United World College schools. Davis UWC Scholars possess exceptional academic abilities and thrive on building relationships with people from diverse backgrounds while building multinational, cross-cultural communication and understanding among all its students.

“We are proud to welcome these students to Queens and are dedicated to building a strong international community on campus,” said President Dan Lugo. “We look forward to seeing the impact their contributions will make in the classroom as well as the greater Queens community.”

Emma Lashley ‘27, a native of Barbados, joins the Queens community from UWC’s Armand Hammer USA campus in New Mexico. Lashley, a former triathlete on Barbados’ national team, decided to participate in the UWC program because she wanted to join others who shared the same interest in bringing cultures together through education.

While at UWC’s Armand Hammer USA campus, Lashley was a leader in her school’s Philosophy for Kids club, teaching children how to use their voices to advocate for themselves. She was a member of the Partners in Health club, raising awareness of the issues surrounding global health and social justice, and also served as a Leader for IDEA, the Inclusion, Diversity, Equality, and Access group, where she organized team building and development programming with her UWC peers. In Barbados, Lashley interned at a veterinary clinic, which sparked her interest in pursuing a degree in biology and pre-veterinary studies while at Queens.

“I really like how Queens is a close-knit community, I think it’s important in my area of studies to be able to work closely and build relationships with your professors,” said Lashley. “I also really like the city of Charlotte. It’s a beautiful city and so different from Barbados.”

Andrea Arcia Jarquin ‘27, a native of Nicaragua, joins Queens from UWC’s Costa Rican campus. Jarquin became an activist in her country after experiencing gun violence during a political rally in 2018. She has expressed her activism and the stories of others, through writing and art. One of her most impactful projects is a compilation of stories and portraits of missing people, in honor of their memories.

Jarquin’s social justice work, in addition to her outstanding academic performance, earned her the Lumni Scholarship and a place at UWC Costa Rica where she created connections with impressive changemakers from around the world. During her time at UWC, Jarquin was a Resident Assistant for her peers and was selected to serve as “Abuelita” — a mentor for incoming juniors. While at Queens, Jarquin looks forward to continuing her art, expanding her mediums to watercolor, sculpture, digital art, and more. At Queens, her passion for art will be manifested through her studies in Interior Architecture and Design.

“I really enjoy the diversity at Queens because I have been able to connect with people who share both similar and different cultures,” said Jarquin. “I’ve been able to make friends from different places while meeting people who have similar identities.”

Ninah Dickson Kiraya ’24, Emma Lashley ’27, Andrea Arcia Jarquin ‘27, Rahinatou Dabone ‘26, President Dan Lugo, Celia Salinas ‘26, Adnan Mulahusejnović ’25, and Manuela Makeda ‘26

Queens first partnered with the UWC program in 2021. During that time, Ninah Dickson Kiraya ’24 was its first UWC graduate to matriculate to Queens and Adnan Mulahusejnović ’25 joined the cohort later that year. In 2022, Queens welcomed Celia Salinas ‘26, Rahinatou Dabone ‘26, and Manuela Makeda ‘26 as new students.