Elevating Leaders Summit: Building Pathways from College to Career

At APIA Scholars, we know that scholarships are just the first step. For students—especially those who are first in their families to attend college or who come from low-income communities—success in higher education requires more than financial support. It requires connection, guidance, and opportunities that open doors to fulfilling careers. That is why we created the Elevating Leaders Summit (ELS).

A National Gathering of First-Year Scholars

This October, over 200 Scholars will come together in Washington, D.C., for our first in-person Elevating Leaders Summit since 2020. For many, it will mark the beginning of their APIA Scholar journey with our community of Scholars, alumni, staff and partners who are committed to supporting them from their first year in college through graduation and into their careers.

More Than Scholarships

Through interactive workshops, career panels, and skill-building sessions, Scholars will explore new opportunities, gain exposure to leaders in various industries, and begin building experiences that will carry them from the classroom to the workplace.

Our goal is centered around student success: to ensure that every Scholar has the tools, networks, and confidence to thrive—not just in college, but throughout their professional lives.

Programming That Inspires and Equips

The two-day Summit is packed with experiences that help Scholars grow academically, personally, and professionally:

• Welcome & Networking: The event begins with a community-building mixer, followed by conversations with peer ambassadors to help students feel at home right away.
• Keynote Speaker: Vivian Tu, Vivian, NYT best selling author and the founder and CEO of “Your Rich BFF,” is on a mission to make the financial world more inclusive and accessible. As a former Wall Street trader turned financial educator and social media powerhouse, she’s helped millions of followers build confidence and knowledge around money.

• Career Exposure Sessions: Scholars will dive into practical topics such as mapping their career pathways, learning about postgraduate fellowships, affirming identity in the workplace, and building personal brands.
• Wellness & Advocacy Sessions: Workshops on financial literacy, mental health, self-care, and community advocacy will equip students with tools to thrive both on campus and beyond.
• Leadership & Storytelling: A culminating session will help Scholars explore how to navigate leadership from different perspectives and put those lessons into practice in their own lives.
• Activation Fair: Corporate and community partners will host interactive stations where Scholars can learn about opportunities, internships, and resources while practicing their networking skills.

Thank You to Our Partners

We are deeply grateful to our Presenting Sponsors, McDonald’s and Wells Fargo, whose support makes the Elevating Leaders Summit possible. We also thank our other partners Toyota, Macy’s, United Airlines, Ulta Beauty Charitable Foundation, Nakupuna Foundation, The Walt Disney Company, Target, United Health Foundation, APAHE (Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education), Synchrony Foundation, FedEx, Ralph Lauren, Caesar’s Entertainment, Swire Coca-Cola, and NBCUniversal, as well as the APIA Scholars Board. We also thank our generous In-Kind partners Sanzo, FedEx, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines, for their steadfast commitment to our mission and Scholars.

As we welcome our 2025–2026 cohort of Scholars, we invite you to follow their journeys on our social media, celebrate their achievements, and join us in creating pathways of opportunity that extend far beyond the classroom.

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