Steven R. Nelson Native Educator Scholarship

Education Northwest • Portland, OR

5d • $3,000

About The Position

Education Northwest has had the honor of working with many Native educators, students, families, and community members throughout our history. We believe that strong Native communities are essential to the health and well-being of our region, and we remain committed to this effort. The Steven R. Nelson Native Educator Scholarship is part of this commitment. This scholarship provides financial support, mentoring, and internships for Native students in the Northwest who are pursuing an advanced degree in education, education policy, leadership, technical assistance, research, or a closely related field. Awardees will receive $3,000 for the initial scholarship, with the possibility to continue the award ($2,000 per year for up to two years). Our former colleague Steve Nelson dedicated his career to working with Tribes, communities, and schools to improve American Indian students’ success in academics and in life. This scholarship honors his work, providing the opportunity to create long-term partnerships so we can better meet the needs of Native communities.

Requirements

• Reside in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington.
• Be a member or descendent of a federally recognized American Indian Tribe.
• Be accepted to or enrolled in a master's or doctoral program (by fall term) in an accredited institution of higher education, either in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington for on-campus programs or in an accredited online institution in the United States. For online programs, the degree area must be accredited according to the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education accreditation database. Additionally, maintain a course load that allows for timely completion of the graduate degree (within three years for a master's degree).
• Pursue a field of study in education, education policy, leadership, technical assistance, research, or a closely related field.
• Have graduated from a four-year, regionally accredited institution of higher learning (before fall term).
• Complete an essay that answers the questions: Why am I pursuing an advanced degree in the field of education, education policy, leadership, technical assistance, research, or closely related field? What are my post-graduation goals? How have I contributed, and how will I contribute, to strengthening my own community and/or rural or Native communities as a whole?
• Submit three letters of recommendation (excluding letters from immediate family members), with at least one from a community member who can attest to the candidate’s connection and commitment to the designated course of study and to serving rural and/or Native communities after attainment of the degree.
• Begin school as a full- or part-time student no later than the fall semester immediately following the award.

Responsibilities

• Maintain good academic standing
• Demonstrate substantial progress toward the fulfillment of the graduate degree requirements
• Fulfill all program reporting requirements
• Maintain enrollment status during the academic year
• Apply each year to request continued scholarship support until graduation (not to exceed two years)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time