This year, ASSIST is proud to welcome its largest and most global class in our 56-year history. The Class of 2026 is comprised of 190 scholars from 30 different countries, representing an incredible range of cultures and perspectives.
Expanding Our Reach
We are particularly excited to welcome students from countries that are either new to ASSIST or have been historically underrepresented in our program. This includes scholars from Colombia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Japan, Kenya, France, Finland, Netherlands, Norway, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Vietnam. This expansion is a key part of our commitment to increasing diversity and bringing the world’s most promising students to our member schools in the U.S. and Canada.
Looking Ahead to Southern Africa and South America
Our work to expand our global reach continues. We are excited to announce our plans to expand into Southern Africa for the Class of 2027, led by our Pretoria-based Program Coordinator, Nomvuyo Mzamane. We are also growing our presence in Colombia this year via partnerships with two student-centered, rigorous and mission-aligned schools in Bogotá.
Honoring Our Roots
While we celebrate this growth, we also recognize the strong connections we have built over decades. Countries with long-standing ties to ASSIST are well-represented in this class, including Germany, Switzerland, Turkey, Georgia, Poland, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Spain, Sweden, Moldova, Czech Republic, and Hungary. The continued participation from these countries strengthens our network and our mission.
The Class of 2026 is a testament to ASSIST’s evolving global footprint. We look forward to seeing how this talented and diverse group of scholars will enrich their host school communities.
