When philanthropist Shelby Davis and international educator Phil Geier co-founded the Davis UWC Scholars Program in 2000, they had a visionary goal: to extend the impact of a UWC education beyond secondary school by opening doors to top universities in the United States. 

This initiative was born from a challenge - many talented UWC graduates lacked the financial means to continue their studies. What started as a pilot initiative at five colleges soon grew into the largest privately funded university scholarship scheme of its kind. Shelby and his wife, Gale, committed to expanding opportunities for these students, ensuring that financial barriers would not stand in their way. Today, their support enables thousands of scholars to pursue their ambitions each year.

Since its inception, the Davis’ have contributed over USD 900 million in scholarship support, steadily increasing their investment over the years. In 2024 alone, their funding totals nearly USD 100 million, unlocking an additional 128 million in institutional financial aid from partner universities across the country, significantly expanding access for UWC graduates. 

More than 14,723 UWC alumni have pursued degrees at 100+ colleges and universities across the United States. In 2024, 1,225 Davis-UWC scholars joined the network, contributing to a global community of 4,601 current scholars from 164 countries.