UofL alum named Schwarzman Scholar, first from public Kentucky university

University of Louisville alumnus Richard Wilson II has been selected for the 2026-27 Schwarzman Scholars cohort. Wilson is the first UofL graduate and the first scholar from a public Kentucky university to earn the elite honor, joining only three others from the state.

The Schwarzman Scholars program is a one-year, fully funded master's degree in global affairs at Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University in Beijing. The curriculum focuses on leadership, China and global affairs and includes academic instruction from faculty at Tsinghua University and other global institutions.

Wilson, a two-time graduate of UofL's Industrial & Systems Engineering department in the J.B. Speed School of Engineering, will be based in Beijing from August 2026 through July 2027, taking part in immersive experiences focused on China's global role.

"I'm excited to join a cohort of scholars from around the world to experience China's environment, make comparative conclusions about the differences between China and the United States, and gain tangible experience investing in Chinese startups and technologies," Wilson said. "Much of this work focuses on artificial intelligence and machine learning, which I believe will define the next iteration of the future."

After graduating from UofL, Wilson began his career as a technical program manager at Facebook/Meta before transitioning into venture capital, where he sources startups and conducts due diligence for potential equity investments.

As a Schwarzman Scholar, Wilson plans to focus academically and professionally on venture capital, particularly China's innovation and investment ecosystem.

"My work will be particularly focused on venture capital. As a short-term goal, I look forward to learning about China's venture capital ecosystem and how the Chinese government supports its venture capital firms as they deploy capital into startups," he said.

Wilson also hopes to apply those insights to his long-term goal.

"I want to operate a venture capital firm that allows me to invest in and back underrepresented and under-resourced founders," he said.

A key aspect of the program for Wilson is the ability to gain a deeper understanding of how government policy influences innovation and investment.

"I hope to better understand how the Chinese government supports its venture capital firms and explore how the U.S. could take a similar approach in supporting emerging fund managers and investors," he said. "China operates very differently from the U.S. and understanding that difference is exciting to learn and share with others after the program."

Wilson credits his time at UofL, particularly his service on the Industrial & Systems Engineering Advisory Board, with preparing him for this opportunity.

"My work with the Board has been core to my success with Schwarzman. It demonstrated the importance of executive communication and making decisions that impact engineering students across the university," he said.

The Schwarzman Scholars program is considered one of the most selective graduate fellowships globally. For the 2026-27 cohort, 150 scholars were chosen from more than 5,800 applicants representing 40 countries and 83 universities. The incoming class brings the Schwarzman Scholars network to more than 1,500 alumni from 107 countries and 490 institutions, many of whom work in business, technology, public service, health care and global policy.

Founded in 2013 by Stephen A. Schwarzman, the program aims to prepare future leaders to navigate and shape 21st-century geopolitical realities through deeper understanding and global collaboration.