Schwarzman Scholars Names New Executive Director

NEW YORK & BEIJING–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Schwarzman Scholars announced today that Lara Tiedens, President of Scripps College, will become its new Executive Director. In this position, Dr. Tiedens will play a key management role and oversee many elements of the program and its administration.

�We are thrilled to welcome Lara to Schwarzman Scholars,” said Stephen A. Schwarzman, Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of Blackstone and Founding Trustee of Schwarzman Scholars. “The program’s mission of fostering international understanding of China is more important than ever and Lara will be a tremendous addition to our efforts. With over 20 years in academia, Dr. Tiedens’ broad experience and expertise in leadership development will enable her to grow and strengthen our program in meaningful ways.”

Inspired by the Rhodes scholarship, Schwarzman Scholars is designed to build a community of future leaders who will serve to deepen understanding between China and the rest of the world. With over 500 alumni in its global network, Schwarzman Scholars is in the process of finalizing the selection of its sixth class.

Dr. Tiedens currently serves as President of Scripps College, an elite women’s liberal arts college in the world-renowned Claremont College Consortium. While at Scripps, she created the Centennial Plan for Scripps College, a strategic blueprint for the institution’s future; completed the largest capital campaign in the college’s history; and launched ambitious STEM and computational science education initiatives. She also promoted and increased financial aid for students, oversaw the transformation of the campus by opening the first LEED certified residential hall and initiated construction of a state-of-the-art science facility.

Dr. Tiedens will report to Amy Stursberg who formerly served as Schwarzman Scholars Executive Director and who was recently named Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Stursberg has been with the program since its inception. “Throughout her career, Lara has been an innovative leader,” said Ms. Stursberg. “She is known for fostering engaged campus cultures and for being an exceptional steward of the organizations she’s served. We are excited to welcome her to Schwarzman Scholars and I look forward to our partnership as we continue to develop the program.”

“Lara’s demonstrated excellence, leadership and desire to positively contribute to the communities she joins will enhance our efforts moving forward,” said Xue Lan, Dean of Schwarzman College at Tsinghua University. “I am excited to work closely with Lara and Amy as the program continues to grow.”

“I am thrilled to join the esteemed Schwarzman Scholars organization and to participate in its critical mission of preparing future global leaders to meet the geopolitical challenges of the 21st century,” Dr. Tiedens said. “I believe Schwarzman Scholars is uniquely designed to solve some of the world’s most complex challenges, to bridge differences that have previously been obstacles and to build global understanding and community. Scholars and alumni of the program will transform relationships among countries around the globe and in doing so will create a more peaceful, thriving world for us all.”

Prior to arriving at Scripps College, Dr. Tiedens served as faculty member and Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University. As a social psychologist, Lara’s research examined the psychological roots of inequality and the formation of hierarchies in organizations. She also contributed to scholarship on the impact of emotions on judgment and decision making and the effect of social roles on emotion. Lara earned her BA at Carleton College, and her MA and PhD at the University of Michigan. She has held named professorships, won awards for her teaching and research and held prestigious fellowships.

About Schwarzman Scholars

The vision of Schwarzman Scholars is to bring together the world’s best young minds to explore and understand the economic, political and cultural factors that have contributed to China’s increasing importance as a global power, and train them to become effective links between China and the rest of the world. Through the philanthropy, foresight and dedication of Blackstone Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO Stephen A. Schwarzman, as well as the generosity of global donors who have been inspired by the potential and importance of this program, Schwarzman Scholars has raised more than $500 million to date. These funds will help endow Schwarzman Scholars in perpetuity.

Each year, up to 200 future leaders from the U.S., China and the rest of the world matriculate as Schwarzman Scholars at Tsinghua University in Beijing to pursue a one-year Master’s Degree. Scholars chosen for this highly selective program have demonstrated exemplary leadership qualities and the potential to understand and bridge cultural and political differences. They live in Beijing for a year of intensive study and cultural immersion – attending lectures, workshops, and discussion groups; being mentored and advised by leaders across sectors; and traveling while developing a better understanding of China.

Learn more at www.schwarzmanscholars.org, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SchwarzmanScholars and follow us on Twitter at @SchwarzmanOrg.

Contacts

Media Contact
Emilie Stanton

(m) 347-331-9196

pressroom@schwarzmanscholars.org