Created and funded by Mitch and Debra Sonkin and Marc and Giulia Weisman, the Sonkin-Weisman Scholars program is a prestigious, invitation-only scholarship awarded to a small number of Temple University College of Liberal Arts’ (CLA) most academically accomplished and intellectually ambitious students. 

This selective program offers a full suite of funded experiential learning opportunities (research, internships, community engagement and study abroad) to students who have already been awarded the prestigious, full-tuition Presidential Scholarship from Temple University. The Sonkin-Weisman Scholars program aims to cultivate the best possible educational experience at one of the nation’s leading urban, public research universities, propelling scholars toward world-class careers, graduate programs and fellowships such as, Gates-Cambridge, Rhodes and Fulbright.  

In addition to the full-tuition Presidential Scholarship, Sonkin-Weisman Scholars are awarded an additional $6,000 while obtaining their undergraduate degree towards guaranteed participation in three of our four signature learning experiences of their choice:

Liberal Arts Undergraduate Research Award (LAURA) 
The LAURAs grant $2,000 each to students as they work alongside a faculty member to conduct research for a semester or more. The LAURAs attract the best and brightest students who want to take advantage of unique learning opportunities. Participating students graduate with the requisite experience to help them land at a prestigious graduate school or organization.

Pathways to Professions (P2P) Internship Award​
Because CLA is a home for community-oriented change makers, gaining real-world experience in the nonprofit and government sectors—in the Philadelphia area and beyond—is vital to our student experience. P2P stipends award $2,000 each, empowering students to gain relevant and valuable work experience that would otherwise go unpaid. 

Study Abroad Grant 
Cultural immersion redefines how our students view the world and understand their place within it. Understanding how global issues impact local communities in different countries builds greater empathy and reframes how students will approach society’s greatest challenges. 

CLA Community Scholars Semester 
Through a Community Scholars Semester, talented CLA students with the passion and drive to make a difference in their communities will interact with community-based organizations, serve as peer mentors for students enrolled in community-engaged learning programs and help shape the future of community engagement at the College of Liberal Arts. 

In addition to a scholarship for participation in three signature learning experiences, the Sonkin-Weisman scholars will be assigned CLA’s assistant dean for student services as their primary academic advisor and will sit among a handful of students personally mentored by the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. Opportunities awarded to Sonkin-Weisman scholars will extend beyond academic coursework and job experience to include networking and intellectual development events featuring high-level discussions with top scholars, policymakers and alumni thought leaders to build scholars’ networks and expose them to additional educational opportunities. 

Beyond the combined academic, experiential learning and networking opportunities granted to this select group of students, Sonkin-Weisman Scholars have the distinct benefit of joining a growing cohort of distinguished students and alumni, including their advising support system, and the program’s namesakes, Mitch and Debra Sonkin and Marc and Giulia Weisman.