Diversity Awards, Fellowships, Grants and Scholarships
Learn more about the diversity awards, fellowships, grants and scholarships available at Central Michigan University.
The Robert Newby Award for Diversity Efforts
Robert Newby Award for Diversity Efforts awards up to three undergraduate and one graduate student project for research, creative activity, and/or application of findings in a credit-bearing experience per year.
King Chavez Parks Future Faculty Fellows
King Chavez Parks Future Faculty Fellows is a State of Michigan fully funded initiative supporting graduate students whose career path will lead them to the teaching profession in post-secondary education.
The Freida Green Scholarship for camp counselors at Camp Walden
The Freida Green Scholarship supports the higher education goals of Black college students who work as summer counselors at Camp Walden in Northern Michigan. Each year, the scholarship i4s awarded to students who are ready to grow, thrive, and experience new opportunities as a sleep-away summer camp counselor. Named for the longest-serving Black employee at Camp Walden, the scholarship is funded by Taproots at Camp Walden. the non-profit subsidiary of Camp Walden. Taproots' mission is to cultivate a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive camp community. The app is set to close in April 2023.
The James R. & Anita H. Jenkins Scholarship
James R. & Anita H. Jenkins Scholarship is a competitive regional scholarship annually awarding four recipients who demonstrate leadership and community involvement from regions in Michigan, Illinois, Iowa and Tennessee.
James and Anita Jenkins have provided opportunities for educational growth through their personal gifts and philanthropically through The James R. and Anita Horne Jenkins Family Foundation. Their generous giving serves as a mechanism by which they strive to “stand in the gap” for communities important to them. Their goal is to positively impact individuals marginalized by past and present circumstances or those underserved by existing institutions, organizations, and groups. The award amount is paid in two equal disbursements for the Fall and Spring Semesters. Students are eligible for scholarship renewal dependent upon satisfactory academic performance and with the submission of a new application each academic year.
Lorenz Family Inclusion Award
Kathrine Lorenz, who graduated from CMU in 2003 and went on to obtain a law degree from Cooley Law School, established this scholarship in support of diversity and inclusion. This award is intended to provide more accessible funds to undergraduate students who, through past activities or educational aspirations, indicate an interest in the advancement of the LGBTQ community, particularly the transgender community. This scholarship will be given in the amount of $1,500.00 annually for five (5) years contingent upon availability of funds and with the submission of a new application each academic year.
The Multicultural Advancement and Lloyd M. Cofer Scholars (MAC)
Multicultural Advancement and Lloyd M. Cofer (MAC) Scholars are exemplary high school students who have committed to CMU and academic achievement, community service, enhancing diversity and living in shared residence on campus to support student success. Known as Diversity Champions, they foster and welcome an inclusive environment for all members of CMU and Mt. Pleasant communities.
The LaMarcus D. Howard Scholarship
LaMarcus D. Howard Scholarship supports and encourages full-time undergraduate students who reflect his experience as a first-generation college student who overcame significant challenges to achieve his baccalaureate and Master's degrees from CMU. Preference is given to students from Flint, MI.
The Lester Booker Jr. Endowed Scholarship Fund for Diversity and Inclusion
Lester Booker Jr. Endowed Scholarship Fund for Diversity and Inclusion is a new annual award to an undergraduate student who demonstrates an active commitment to the participation of underrepresented communities in educational pursuits. Preference is given to Resident Assistants, Inclusion Assistants or Peer Advisors, and applicants from the Detroit Public Schools Community District. This scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate student who demonstrates an active commitment to the participation of underrepresented communities in educational pursuits. This award also focuses on supporting students with a background as Resident Assistants, Inclusion Assistants, Peer Advisors, or from the Detroit Public Schools Community District. The award amount is paid in two equal disbursements for the Fall and Spring Semesters. The scholarship is not renewable. Part-time attendance or withdrawal from the university will result in the cancellation of the scholarship.
The J.D. Smith Memorial Scholarship Endowment
J.D. Smith Memorial Scholarship Endowment was established by the Association of Faculty and Staff of Color to honor J.D. Smith, an African American professor of History at CMU. Currently, two scholarships are awarded annually to: 1) An incoming first-year student who resides in Saginaw, Midland or Mount Pleasant, is committed to the advancement of people of color in American society, and demonstrates great academic potential; and 2) A CMU undergraduate student, of sophomore or greater standing, who is committed to the advancement of people of color in American society and demonstrates an interest in research or scholarly pursuits. Preference will be given to applicants studying or conducting research in the fields of history and/or African-American history, as reflected in the work of J.D. Smith.
This scholarship was established in 2003 by the CMU Association of Faculty and Staff of Color (now the Faculty and Staff of Color Alliance) to honor Johnie D. Smith '86, CMU professor of African American history and constitutional history of the United States. Dr. Smith passed away in 1997. This award is intended to support students who are committed to the advancement of underrepresented minorities in American society and who demonstrate great academic potential. This award is not renewable.
D.C. Drake Endowed Undergraduate Award
Established in 2019 by D. C. Drake (Class of 1989), this scholarship supports diversity and inclusion at Central Michigan University. This scholarship is intended to award an undergraduate student from a historically underrepresented community within the United States who continuously demonstrates an active commitment to the participation of underrepresented communities in educational pursuits. The award amount is paid in two equal disbursements for the Fall and Spring Semesters. The award may be renewed a maximum of three (3) times following the initial award and with the submission of a new application each academic year. Part-time attendance or withdrawal from the university will result in the cancellation of the scholarship.
Caswell Family Scholarship
Established in 2018 by Jon ’64 and Elaine Caswell, in honor of David Nicholson ’64, this scholarship is intended to support a part-time or full-time student at CMU who is a single parent or to a student from a single parent household. This scholarship is award to students who distinguish themselves in the advancement of underrepresented groups in American society. The award amount is paid in two equal disbursements for the Fall and Spring Semesters and may be renewed a maximum of three (3) years after the initial award, contingent upon future availability of funds, and with the submission of a new application each academic year. Withdrawal from the university will result in cancellation of the scholarship.