Strauss Public Service Scholarship
The Center for Service and Action congratulates
Britney Holland
as the 2009 Donald Strauss Public Service Scholarship Award recipient!
Britney's Executive Summary: (Increasing Advocacy & Support for Veterans)
With approximately 23.5 million veterans in the U.S. and over 2 million in the state of California alone, there are numerous veterans' issues to tackle at home. These issues include the increasing number of disabled veterans and their medical costs, the reintegration of military personnel into society, rising education costs for veterans returning to school, and staggering veteran homelessness and unemployment rates far above the national average. For my project, I plan to establish a student veteran group on Loyola Marymount University's campus to take on these issues locally and nationally. This group will collaborate with the non-profit Student Veterans of America, to start a chapter on campus. The group will focus on aiding not only LMU veterans and their transition from military life to school, but on raising awareness and student involvement. We will collaborate with Veterans Affairs and other non-profits to work with local veterans who are homeless and those suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The student veteran group will also team up with the Alternative Break Program to co-sponsor a domestic trip for LMU students over spring break. On this trip, students will assist wounded veterans by modifying their homes to accommodate the disability.
The Donald A. Strauss Foundation awards a Public Service Scholarship to one LMU student every year. The scholarship will provide you with $10,000 to fund your service project.
Note: Your LMU financial aid will not be adversely affected if you are selected as a recipient.
Qualifications:
- Demonstrated an interest in public service.
- Outstanding leadership potential.
- Developed and can demonstrate effective communication skills.
- Possess the desire to "make a difference” in local, regional, national or international communities.
- Have one full year remaining until graduation.
- Have GPA in the upper 1/3 of his or her class.
- Submitted an innovative, original, public service proposal & additional supporting materials.
Completed applications are due in the Center for Service and Action (St. Robert's Annex) on Thursday, February 9, 2012 by 5:00 pm.
Application Materials
1. Two current official transcripts
2. Minimum of two and a maximum of three letters of recommendation from individuals who are well acquainted with the student's work (academic or service); these can be from a current academic institution, organizations (including community or public service organizations), former teachers, employers, community representative, etc.
3. Application information should include an application summary that lists:
- the university's name;
- the applicant's name, addresses (permanent and local/campus), phone numbers (campus and cell), GPA, major, interests and hobbies;
- the Project Title and a ONE PARAGRAPH executive summary of the Proposal;
4. One page Personal Statement (the perfect opportunity for the Strauss Foundation to meet you - on paper!).
5. One Page Resume (include current and past community service)
6. A Project Proposal - Each nominee will submit a proposal for a community or public service project which would be carried out between the end of his or her Junior year and the spring of the Senior year. The proposal document should be limited to 4 pages typed and double spaced . These proposals shall become a major focus of the selection process.
Proposal Focus Areas:
a) Project Introduction / Background
b) Program Description
c) Partners & Resources
d) Timeline
e) Budget (up to $10,000)
f) Sustainability
For sample proposals visit the Donald Strauss Website at: www.straussfoundation.org/sample_proposals.html
7. Signed and dated Acceptance Agreement. You can download the most current Agreement from the Strauss website.
For more information, contact Lorena Chavez by calling 310.338.2959.