In 2021, Schonfeld Strategic Advisors, an American hedge fund headquartered in New York City, opened a second office in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood. Two years later, the Steven B Schonfeld Foundation partnered with the University of Miami to create the Steven B Schonfeld Computer Science and Computer Engineering Scholarship and Award, which supports female students pursuing degrees in these fields.
Originally, the Steven B Schonfeld Foundation’s generous gift was set to award two sophomores fully funded academic scholarships annually over the course of eight years, resulting in 16 total Schonfeld Scholars. This year, the foundation increased its donation, enabling the induction of four new sophomores into the program: Timileyin Ajayi, Cassidy Brenegan, Kayleen Ramirez, and Paige Swarthout, all of whom are studying computer science in the College of Arts and Sciences.
“We are excited to expand the number of Schonfeld Scholars served by the scholarship from two students to four Schonfeld Scholars annually, furthering our commitment to invest in future generations of women in math and science and ultimately increase representation in STEM careers,” said Ryan Tolkin, vice president of the Steven B Schonfeld Foundation and CEO and CIO of Schonfeld Strategic Advisors.
Schonfeld Scholars are some of the University’s most passionate undergraduate students in regard to their respective fields. Brenegan is an aspiring financial trader and analyst, Ramirez is passionate about machine learning and contributing to computer science research, Swarthout wants to be a web developer or designer, and Ajayi plans to get involved in user experience, user interface, and human-computer interaction research.
Two more Schonfeld Scholars, Sophia Knutson and Taylor Shirk, have received the scholarship for a second year. Although the Schonfeld Scholars are diverse in their professional aspirations, Shirk said that Schonfeld Strategic Advisors has supported their array of interests.
“Schonfeld is cognizant of the fact that computer science students may be unfamiliar with hedge funds and how they relate to computer science,” stated Shirk. “Besides teaching us about hedge funds, and regardless of if a scholar plans to pursue opportunities in finance, they provide individually tailored support to scholars by setting up mock interviews, reviewing our resumes, and hosting visits for us to their New York and Miami offices.”
The foundation’s donation is part of the larger movement to promote gender equality in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) professions.
“The College of Arts and Sciences is grateful to the Schonfeld Foundation for their commitment to supporting women in STEM as they begin their careers,” said Leonidas Bachas, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “Their efforts are a catalyst for positive change in the lives of the scholars and more broadly in society as a whole.”
Brenegan echoed this sentiment. “It’s really cool to be a young professional during a time when women can get more involved in STEM,” she said. “I am hoping that efforts like Schonfeld’s to bridge the disparity between men and women in this field are effective and that it encourages more women to pursue STEM opportunities.”
Aside from the academic scholarship and professional development opportunities, scholars also receive a stipend to support their research and special projects.
The Schonfeld Foundation’s donation is part of the University’s $2.5 billion fundraising campaign Ever Brighter: The Campaign for Our Next Century, set to conclude in 2025.
