Knight-Hennessy Scholars

08/25/2026

Every week since she was a teenager, scholar alum Rawan Dareer has set aside a full day to explore something she knows nothing about or a skill she wants to develop. It could be a deep dive into the work of a single film director, the causes of the 2008 financial crisis, or the origins of fast food. Now, with a Stanford Law School degree in hand and a deep belief in the importance of good governance, Rawan is building Hakimu, an AI-empowered platform to search legal documents across Africa.

KHS Executive Director Tina Seelig features Rawan’s story in her latest book, “What I Wish I Knew About Luck.” Inspired by Rawan’s desire to understand the world around her, Tina writes, “Luck favors those who ask questions, each one baiting good fortune to bite.”

📷: Micaela Go

08/20/2026

Surrounded by some of their best friends at KHS reunion weekend, scholars asked scholars: What’s your favorite thing about KHS? Answer: It’s all about community, connection, and perspectives that broaden the way they see the world.

08/14/2026

As a young girl sitting around her family’s dinner table in Barcelona, Spain, Sílvia Casacuberta Puig discovered a love of mathematics. Numbers, proofs, logic: The concepts felt almost like poetry or a painting to her. “The real world can be full of prejudice, conflicts, and imperfections, but, as a kid… I could immerse myself in this captivating world of reason and truth, where everything always seemed to work perfectly.”

During her undergraduate mathematics studies at Harvard, Sílvia was stunned to learn that algorithms — the ones deciding who gets loans, jobs, bail, and even healthcare — were often biased and causing real harm. But rather than choose between her passion for theory and wanting to help people, she found a way to do both.

Now pursuing her PhD in computer science at Stanford School of Engineering, Sílvia is using the tools she loves and applying mathematical precision so that algorithms and AI can benefit, not harm, society. It's work she calls not “standing outside the real world,” but actively shaping it.

Read more about how Sílvia is using her discipline to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

Sílvia Casacuberta Puig (2025 cohort) reflects on how a childhood love of mathematics grew into a mission: to improve the impact of algorithms on people’s lives.

07/28/2026

A guidance counselor once told scholar Sarahi Espinoza Salamanca: "People like you don't go to college.” Sarahi went anyway—10 years later. She graduated from college at 32, and began her Knight-Hennessy Scholars journey at Stanford University at 34 with inspiration from her mother that carried her through: "There is never a bad outcome. You either win or you learn."

Motivated by her own journey, Sarahi built DREAMer’s Roadmap, an app that has helped more than 34,000 students access resources and millions of dollars in college funding. Her story, along with the stories of other KH scholars, is featured in KHS Executive Director Tina Seelig’s new book, "What I Wish I Knew About Luck." In it, Tina highlights the leaps that scholars have taken to reach dreams and provides actionable tips on how to turn aspirations into achievements. “Luck favors those who take risks, each one a stepping stone toward success," writes Tina.

To hear more, catch Tina on the Imagine A World podcast: https://bit.ly/4vZyjJN

📷: Micaela Go and Becca Martin

07/27/2026

During KHS reunion weekend, we asked alumni what they miss most about their time at KHS. It almost always comes back to the people.

Director and cinematographer: KHS alumna Azza Cohen

07/22/2026

“I realized I was capable of much more than I had believed, but it took a moment that demanded more of me to recognize it,” writes scholar Francis Opoku Twene on stepping up in the operating room when it mattered most.

Francis is pursuing a master’s degree in epidemiology and clinical research at Stanford Medicine. In the latest Scholar Insight, he reflects on how the decision to put aside fear during a surgical emergency inspired him to become the person and professional he was always meant to be.

Francis Opoku Twene (2025 cohort) reflects on stepping up in the operating room when it mattered most, and what he discovered on the other side of fear.

07/20/2026

KHS co-founder and Shriram Family Director John Hennessy was honored with a lifetime achievement award for his transformative innovations to modern computing by the Marconi Society.

“I want to congratulate John for this richly deserved recognition,” said Stanford University President Jonathan Levin. “John saw how a simplified architecture could improve computer processing, and his contributions to the field transformed modern computing in ways that impact people around the world every day. It’s the same vision, deep thoughtfulness, and commitment to furthering people and institutions that have made him such an excellent leader over his many decades at Stanford.”

Read more about the award below.

The chip pioneer and Stanford president emeritus was honored with a lifetime achievement award for his transformative innovations to modern computing.

07/18/2026

Three Knight-Hennessy scholars have received fellowships and awards administered by Stanford's Vice Provost for Graduate Education, which recognizes exceptional doctoral students across disciplines who demonstrate excellence in research, leadership, academic achievement, and more.

Congratulations to Assel Ibadulla, Kay Barrett, and Tami Gjorgjieva! More: https://bit.ly/4vCrEVC

07/13/2026

Meet Gianmarco Coronado Graci, who recently completed his Knight-Hennessy Scholars journey with a master of the science of law degree from Stanford Law School and a master of public policy degree from Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences.

In addition to working toward access to justice for people around the world, Gianmarco served as an active member of the KHS art committee, which helps select artists and artwork for Denning House that spark thought and dialogue, offering scholars new ways to see the world.

Here, Gianmarco introduces “Cadence - Sprawling” by Otobong Nkanga, the newest addition to the Denning House art collection.

07/06/2026

KHS reunion weekend 2026 kicked off with a celebration at Denning House, welcoming KHS alumni from around the world for storytelling, workshops, connections, and more.

Director and cinematographer: KHS alumna Azza Cohen