University of Georgia senior and Atlanta native Eliza Fausset has been selected as a 2026-28 FAO Schwarz Fellow, earning a place in one of the nation’s most selective postgraduate fellowship programs focused on social impact and nonprofit leadership.
Fausset, a sociology and Spanish double major in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences and the Jere W. Morehead Honors College, is one of seven students nationwide chosen for the upcoming cohort by the FAO Schwarz Family Foundation. She will complete her two‑year, paid fellowship with the Brooklyn Public Library in New York City, where she will engage in direct service and strategic project work aimed at addressing community needs and expanding access to educational resources.
“It’s an honor to be named an FAO Schwarz Fellow and to support the important work of the Brooklyn Public Library,” Fausset said. “I am excited to learn alongside other young people passionate about social change, and I’m deeply grateful for the professors, classmates, co‑organizers and neighbors who made my time in Athens so meaningful.”
The FAO Schwarz Fellowship is a highly competitive national program for college seniors pursuing careers in social impact. Fellows are placed with carefully selected nonprofit organizations in Boston, New York City and Philadelphia, where they gain hands‑on experience, leadership training and a deeper understanding of how nonprofits create meaningful, lasting change.
Selection for the fellowship follows a rigorous process involving host organizations and the foundation. Fausset was distinguished early in that process when she was selected as a finalist by two host organizations — a rare honor reflecting her leadership potential and commitment to service.
“This year, we are also celebrating the 20th anniversary of the fellowship — 20 years of helping to launch young leaders like Eliza into social change careers,” said Priscilla Cohen, executive director of the FAO Schwarz Fellowship program. “It is an inspiration for us to see such dedication among new graduates to making a difference in the world.”
At the UGA Career Center, students pursuing career opportunities, including nationally competitive fellowships like the FAO Schwarz Fellowship, can receive guidance and support through individual consultations and career development resources, which help students identify opportunities aligned with their goals to support competitive applications.
“We are proud to see Eliza selected for the FAO Schwarz Fellowship. This recognition reflects both her dedication to service and the strength of her academic and community engagement at UGA,” said Ray Clere, executive director of the UGA Career Center. “We are confident she will make a meaningful impact through her work with the Brooklyn Public Library.”
In addition to receiving a salary and benefits, FAO Schwarz Fellows participate in extensive professional development programming, including mentoring, cohort‑based experiences and two four‑day retreats each year. More than 90% of former Fellows continue careers in social impact, nonprofit or public service fields.
Between five and seven Fellows are selected nationally each year. Host organizations and assigned roles are announced in early fall.