The program was established in 1998,[3] created by US-Ireland Alliance president Trina Vargo with early support from the Irish and British Governments.
In 2010, the Irish Parliament passed legislation to match any contributions, up to 20 million euros, to an endowment for the Scholarship program.
Senator George J. Mitchell's pivotal contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process, is designed to introduce and connect future American leaders to the island of Ireland, and to recognize and foster intellectual achievement, leadership, and a commitment to public service.
[5] Alumni of the Mitchell Scholarship program have pursued careers in a variety of fields including medicine, law, academia, politics, journalism, the armed services, and the arts.
Notable alumni include Rebecca Aslakson, Chair of Anesthesiology University of Vermont; Matt Haney, member of the California Assembly; author Winnie M Li, wizarding gastro-pub entrepreneur Matt Cortland; author Deirdre Mask; Laela Sturdy, Managing Partner at CapitalG; entrepreneur Sasha Seymore; Alec Schierenbeck, former Supreme Court Clerk and General Counsel for New York City’s Deputy Mayor for Housing; Monica Bell, Professor of Law at Yale Law School; Robert Mulcare, Managing Director at New Mountain Capital; and Tommy Vitolo, Representative of the Massachusetts State Legislature.