Stout Announces Winners of 2025 NextGen Scholarship

Stout is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 NextGen Scholarship. The scholarship provides financial assistance to help students succeed in their pursuit of a business-related career.

This year, 15 outstanding students were selected to receive $2,500 each in recognition of their academic achievements, leadership skills, and passion for driving positive change across the industry. These individuals were chosen from a highly competitive pool of applicants and represent the next generation of leaders striving to create a more inclusive world.

Meet the 2025 scholarship recipients:

Wisdom Agbeve

Major: Computer Information Systems & Accounting

School: Grambling State University

“Receiving this scholarship is a defining moment in my journey as a first-generation student. For me, it represents more than recognition — it represents access. Access to opportunities I once viewed from a distance, access to a future in business and technology that I am actively building, and access to a community that believes in the potential of students like me. This award allows me to move through my collegiate journey with greater confidence and less financial strain, but its real impact is the momentum it gives me. It fuels my determination to lead, to innovate, and to create pathways for other students who share similar beginnings. I’m truly honored to have Stout invest in my story, and I’m inspired to carry this encouragement forward in everything I pursue.”

Johann Batista

Major: Economics

School: University of Scranton

“This scholarship is both a significant honor and a meaningful milestone in my journey. As a first-generation college student from the Dominican Republic, this recognition reassures me that my hard work, perseverance, and commitment to growth are valued. To me, this opportunity represents far more than financial support; it reflects Stout’s belief in the potential of students from diverse backgrounds and its dedication to fostering meaningful pathways into financial services. This scholarship has further motivated me to continue building relationships with Stout’s professionals, deepen my understanding of the global advisory space, and pursue long-term opportunities in finance. I am sincerely grateful for Stout’s commitment to supporting my ambition to build a future in this industry.”

Carroll Fortune

Major: Finance

School: Howard University

“As the first in my family to attend college, I view every opportunity as both a responsibility and a chance to redefine what is possible. The Stout NextGen Scholarship will allow me to take advantage of more opportunities instead of choosing based on what is most affordable. It will help me focus on developing the skills needed for a long-lasting career in financial services rather than thinking about loans and interest rates for the next semester. Beyond the monetary support, the mentorship component of this award is what I value most. I will learn from a seasoned Stout professional who has already built and navigated a career in finance. I will also learn how a Stout professional approaches concepts and decisions that cannot be found in a textbook. All in all, yes, this scholarship will relieve financial pressure, but it will also allow me to enter the world of finance with competence and confidence as I advance in my career.”

Daniel Harper

Major: Finance & Business Management

School: The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina

“Receiving the Stout FirstGen Scholarship means more to me than financial support. It represents validation, opportunity, and belief in my potential. Coming from a non-target school like The Citadel, I know I face additional challenges in pursuing a highly competitive field like investment banking. The Citadel has a unique reputation and training environment that isn’t always widely understood outside of South Carolina, and it demands a level of discipline, leadership, and resilience from its cadets that is rare in higher education.

“This scholarship reminds me that where you come from doesn’t define where you can go. It reinforces that the rigorous, often difficult environment we experience at The Citadel is shaping us into leaders who can excel in any field. I hope this recognition encourages my classmates and shows them that the sacrifices we make today academically, personally, and militarily can open doors and create opportunities far beyond our campus.

“For me, this scholarship is both a milestone and a motivator. It strengthens my drive to break into investment banking and serve as an example that Citadel cadets can compete and succeed on the biggest stages.”

Samuel Kim

Major: Business Administration, Concentration in Finance

School: California State University Fullerton

“Receiving this scholarship from Stout means a tremendous amount to me. It not only helps reduce the financial burden of tuition but also motivates me to continue working hard academically and professionally. This support gives me more freedom to focus on my education, pursue opportunities, and grow without as much financial stress.”

Jay Leszcz

Major: Finance & Accounting

School: Indiana University Bloomington

“This scholarship will be highly influential in my pursuit of a meaningful career in finance. As a student who comes from a background where high finance is a foreign domain, this award represents my eagerness to learn and grow. Moving forward, this opportunity has given me strong momentum as I continue to explore my capabilities within the financial space and develop into someone who can produce tangible results. I admire Stout’s belief in a future where diversity is not only acknowledged but celebrated. It gives me immense pride to be recognized by an organization that actively takes steps to increase diversity within its ranks and the broader business community.”

Dora Li

Major: Finance and Accounting

School: Oregon State University

“I am truly honored to receive this scholarship, as it recognizes my journey as a first-generation student and motivates me to continue pursuing my goals. It encourages me to stay intellectually curious inside and outside the classroom, stay involved in my community, and explore opportunities in the continuously growing industry. The opportunity to be paired with a professional mentor makes this scholarship so meaningful, providing guidance as I navigate a path my parents didn’t have the chance to take. This scholarship inspires me to achieve for success in the industry and grow as a confident, thoughtful, and conscientious leader.”

Erick Li

Major: Finance

School: Arizona State University

“As a first-generation student, earning the Stout FirstGen Scholarship feels like so much more than financial support, it feels like someone saying, ‘You belong here.’ Growing up, college wasn’t something I could ask my parents about, it was something I had to figure out on my own. Every application, every internship search, every networking conversation has come from a place of curiosity and determination instead of inherited knowledge.

“This scholarship means that the effort counts. It means that first-generation students don’t have to navigate this journey alone. It gives me the confidence to continue pushing for opportunities in finance, a field where students like me are still underrepresented. With Stout’s support, I’m not just preparing for a career, I’m building a path that my cousins and other first-generation students can follow more easily.

“To me, this scholarship is proof that background does not define potential, perseverance does. And I hope to carry that message forward in my own career by opening doors for others the way Stout has opened a door for me.”

Michal Mika

Major: Finance, Accounting, and Real Estate

School: DePaul University

“As a first-generation college student and first-generation American, navigating the investment banking recruitment process can often feel daunting. The path is unfamiliar, the expectations are high, and the resources are not always obvious or accessible. That is why Stout’s commitment to supporting students like me is so meaningful. The time, energy, and intentional effort the firm invests in providing guidance and opportunities create an environment where students from all backgrounds can genuinely thrive.

“I see this scholarship not only as financial support, but as an opportunity to continue growing, both academically and professionally. It represents a belief in my potential and reinforces my determination to pursue a career in investment banking with confidence. I am deeply grateful for this recognition and excited to see how it will help shape the next steps in my journey.”

Alexander Motea

Major: Finance and Marketing

School: Indiana University, Kelley School of Business

“Being awarded this scholarship will be a pivotal stepping stone in my collegiate journey by allowing me to be more focused on my academic and professional development. Learning about the firm’s emphasis on having a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and striving for improvement truly resonated with me. This support will not only offer helpful financial support, but motivate me to hold myself to a higher standard moving forward. I am incredibly grateful to be given this opportunity and am excited to be able to continue to grow alongside such an inspiring team.”

Braeden Purser-Eber

Major: Finance

School: Indiana University Bloomington

“I see this scholarship having a meaningful impact on my career. It provides important financial support and a strong vote of confidence from a respected firm known for its commitment to developing young talent. This award will help me continue pursuing early career programs, networking opportunities, and leadership roles that are essential stepping stones toward a future in high finance. I am grateful that Stout recognizes and supports students who are working hard to break into the industry.”

Sebastian Rodriguez

Major: Finance

School: Georgia Southern University

“Coming from Honduras as an international student, pursuing investment banking has never been a traditional or easy path for me. With this support, I can focus more deeply on developing a strong understanding of finance and the markets without worrying about the cost of education, which is a burden for many international students. More importantly, it motivates me to keep pushing forward and reminds me that firms like Stout truly believe in helping students from diverse backgrounds pursue their dreams.”

Hanson Wen

Major: Finance and Business Economics

School: New York University Stern School of Business

“Firstly, I am truly grateful that Stout offered me this scholarship. Beyond the financial support, receiving it serves as a reminder that I am on the right track in my professional career, that my experiences are valued, and that I can make a meaningful impact in our communities. Coming from a first-generation background has instilled in me many important values, and seeing that Stout recognizes and appreciates these values shows the firm’s strong commitment to fostering a culture of inclusivity and diversity. I aim to continue improving myself, and this scholarship serves as encouragement that I can accomplish great things and that many others can as well.”

Jerry Zheng

Major: Accounting & Finance

School: Temple University - Fox School of Business

“Stout’s NextGen Scholarship isn’t just a scholarship or a form of financial assistance. To me, it symbolizes the encouragement from my mentors and peers, the perseverance from within, and my very own belief in my potential as a first-generation college student. It confirms that the goals I envision and am working towards are seen by others and valued by the supportive professionals around me. As I receive this award, the motivation that surges in me continues to burn like a bright flame while I navigate my career path and continue to conquer the uncertainties, while making a name for myself.”

Eric Zou

Major: Economics & Government

School: William & Mary

“After my summer internship with the International Trade Administration, I remain on the lookout for additional opportunities to supplement my economics and government studies, and I found that Stout’s NextGen Scholarship is the next meaningful step in my career. With public sector experience, I now want to learn more about private sector opportunities, and this scholarship — beyond its financial assistance — will allow me to do just that through its mentorship program. Of the many academic and professional opportunities available, this scholarship stands out not only for its impact but its cause. For that, I owe my thanks to Stout, whose values and commitment resonate deeply with my own drive for excellence. I am immensely grateful to be a recipient of this scholarship.”