Breaking Barriers in STEM: Neda Nobari's Visionary Philanthropy Launches Maryam Mirzakhani Presidential Scholarships at San Francisco State University

 The landmark endowment expands access with full-ride scholarships and leadership development, empowering first-generation STEM innovators to transform the future of their fields.

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- MOZAIK Philanthropy proudly announces a landmark investment in STEM education at San Francisco State University (SFSU), made possible through the visionary generosity of alumna and philanthropist Neda Nobari (B.S. '84). With her latest endowment, Nobari more than doubles the University's Presidential Scholars Program, launching the Maryam Mirzakhani Presidential Scholarships—a bold initiative to empower first-generation STEM students through higher education that fosters critical thinking, collaboration, and leadership in fields such as AI ethics, climate resiliency, and human health.

Named in honor of the late Iranian mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani—the first woman and the first Iranian to win the Fields Medal—the program offers a holistic collegiate journey. In addition to full support for tuition, housing, and books, Mirzakhani Scholars receive faculty mentorship, leadership training, study abroad opportunities, and internships, cultivating a pipeline of innovators prepared to lead in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

"The Mirzakhani Scholarship reflects our core values of opportunity, inclusion, and the transformative power of education—giving talented students not only the space to excel academically, but also the support to grow as catalysts for progress," said Mia S. Reisweber, PhD, Associate Dean of Students, Division of Student Life, Student Affairs at SFSU.

For Nobari, a proud SFSU computer science graduate and lifelong champion of student success, this gift underscores her unwavering commitment to student-first philanthropy. Having once been one of only a handful of women in her field, she is determined to expand opportunity and create space for diverse voices in STEM.

"Maryam Mirzakhani's brilliance and courage broke barriers and shattered glass ceilings, embodying the perseverance and discovery I hope these scholarships will inspire. It is an honor to expand access to education for students who will not only inherit the world but also transform it," said Neda Nobari.

This historic endowment builds on Nobari's legacy of advancing opportunity at SFSU, including the Azar Hatefi Graduate Student Fellowship in Iranian Diaspora Studies and the Student Sustainable Investment Fund. Her leadership has strengthened the University's mission of inclusive excellence and ensured first-generation and underrepresented students have the resources to thrive.

The inaugural Mirzakhani Scholars began their studies this fall. Applications for the next cohort open in November for students pursuing admission for Fall 2026. Learn more: dos.sfsu.edu/presidential-scholars

Media Contact:
Keely Badger
MOZAIK Philanthropy
[email protected]

SOURCE MOZAIK Philanthropy