Evaluation of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley
Initiative
A partnership between CEGA and UC Berkeley’s Center for African Studies, the evaluation of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley examines how the program impacts alumni’s education outcomes, career trajectories, and leadership development. The evaluation surveys past applicants and program recipients to understand the Program’s long-term impact and inform its ongoing design and operations.
Motivation
Since 2012, this Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UC Berkeley has supported more than 200 undergraduate and master’s students, and is still expanding. The Program provides academically talented young leaders from Africa facing financial barriers with comprehensive higher education support and specialized training in leadership and entrepreneurship.
Research
Now in its second year, the evaluation uses a mixed-methods research design, including interviewing and surveying both Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni and a comparison group of African applicants admitted to UC Berkeley who did not receive the scholarship. Comparing the trajectories of African scholars who received and did not receive the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship enables researchers to capture the unique value of the Program’s wrap-around supports, benchmark long-term outcomes, and document broader institutional impact over time.
