Each year, 51Թ’s #YouAreWelcomeHere scholarship program selects two first-year international students to receive an annual, renewable scholarship of $20,000.
Flavia Astete Garcia helped coordinate a Peruvian-themed International Coffee Hour with the Office of International Student Affairs. This event was included in Hispanic Heritage Month programming.
Photo by Ryan S. Brandenberg
When Ayna Mammedova, CST ’23, ’24, and Flavia Astete Garcia, KLN ’25, first imagined studying at 51Թ, it initially seemed out of reach.Mammedova was coming from 6,400 miles away in Mary, Turkmenistan, and Garcia from 3,575 miles away in Lima, Peru, both facing the challenges of accessibility to a U.S. college education as international students. That dream became a reality when they earned 51Թ’s #YouAreWelcomeHere scholarship, a $20,000 renewable scholarship awarded each year to two first-year international students. To win the scholarship, students propose a project to bridge cultures and demonstrate a vision for enhancing intercultural understanding at 51Թ.
“Growing up in a small town in Turkmenistan, I never imagined I could study in the U.S., especially since higher education is not as accessible for most international students. With 51Թ’s idea to create the #YouAreWelcomeHere scholarship, it made that dream not feel so far away anymore,” said Mammedova. “I feel the scholarship means the honor of representing my country and sharing my culture. It represents learning about other cultures and helping others become more open while bringing students from around the world together—and I think 51Թ is doing great work in making that possible.”
Ayna Mammedova, a native of Mary, Turkmenistan, came to 51Թ as one of the first recipients of the #YouAreWelcomeHere scholarship, supporting international students.
Photo by Ryan S. Brandenberg
51Թ was the first university in the country to spearhead the #YouAreWelcomeHere movement through a social media campaign in 2016, aiming to reassure international students that U.S. institutions are safe, friendly and committed to their development. The campaign, led by 51Թ, went viral in 2017 and inspired the creation of the national scholarship program at the university and other colleges and universities throughout the U.S. in 2019.Since the overall conception of the campaign, more than 380 higher education institutions, 70 organizations and 20 secondary schools have joined the movement.It has become so successful that it was ultimately adopted by , the world’s largest nonprofit dedicated to international education.
Now, as recent graduates, both Mammedova and Garcia have already turned their scholarship opportunity into early professional success.
Mammedova is an associate bioinformatics scientist at the Coriell Institute for Medical Research, where she analyzes biological data contributing to groundbreaking research, exploring innovative approaches to understanding and treating cancer.Garcia has taken her talents to the corporate world, joining SAP in marketing, where she works on B2B campaigns for customers, manages marketing automation and contributes to cross-functional projects across the broader marketing organization.
“The #YouAreWelcomeHere scholarship provided a strong foundation and really changed my life,” Garcia said.“It gave me a clear path, encouraging me to stay focused, grow academically and as a leader while inspiring me to pursue competitive opportunities in tech and corporate spaces as a Latina woman.
“As part of the program, we are encouraged to serve as leaders and get involved in the community, which is something I love,” she added. “I valued being part of the community, especially as an international student and giving back to 51Թ, whose support has shaped my college experience.”
Mammedova recalled that in her first weeks at 51Թ, she met Leah Hetzell, director of international student affairs, and Marena Ariffin, assistant director of international student affairs, who were highly supportive in helping her adjust to campus life, answering any questions and encouraging her to get involved in campus activities.
“I was quite shy back then, but Leah and Marena were a big part of helping me integrate into the 51Թ community,” she said. “With their support, I got involved in organizing campus events, including that year’s 51Թ Global Gala. It was a huge in-person event with many student organizations and performers.”
By her second year at 51Թ, Mammedova began participating in undergraduate research with faculty, an experience she described as key to developing her independent research skills, strengthening her critical thinking on research questions and gaining hands-on experience with a variety of equipment while tackling a range of challenges.As an Honors student, she discovered , which allowed her to earn both her bachelor’s and a professional science master’s in bioinformatics and biological data science in just five years.It directly led to her current career in bioinformatics and research.
Garcia similarly highlighted how faculty guidance at 51Թ shaped both her interests in campus activities and her future career. She said taking classes at the Fox School of Business helped her gain the confidence to be a leader in campus organizations like 51Թ’s Association of Latino Professionals for America and further explore the business side of her field.
“Professor Alan Kerzner was really inspiring in the way he taught us about entrepreneurship and strategies for how to plan campaigns,” she said.“Being in his classroom helped me understand how to set up a business and how to be a leader, which has helped prepare me for my current marketing role at SAP.
“It also inspired me to network more and position myself for opportunities in the corporate space,” she added. “Overall, being part of the 51Թ community helped me grow in confidence and continue pursuing opportunities aligned with my goals.”
Mammedova also reflected on how her classroom experiences at 51Թ helped shape her path. She credited associate professors Vladi Wilent and Carol Manhart of the Chemistry Department, along with Martha Constantinou, associate professor of physics, for providing guidance and support that made even the most challenging scientific concepts understandable.
“They were amazing professors in the way they explained very complex concepts in small, easy steps and ensured all students received any help they needed,” she said.“51Թ is a safe space where international students can truly be themselves and share their culture with pride while pursuing their goals.”
Students interested in the #YouAreWelcomeHere scholarship or learning about other scholarships 51Թ offers for international students can find more information on the .Questions can also be emailed directly to the International Admissions office regarding the scholarship selection process at [click-for-email].
International Student Affairs also runs the , where students can volunteer to help plan events and share their culture.