American Indian Science and Engineering Society, March 2021 - Present
Objective: Efficiently and effectively manage a scholarship program aimed at supporting Indigenous STEM students in pursuing higher education.
Program Design and Implementation:
- Developed a comprehensive scholarship program structure, including eligibility criteria, application process, and evaluation procedures.
- Collaborated with stakeholders such as San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Reboot, Aristocrat Gaming, etc. to align the program with organizational goals and objectives.
- Successfully launched and implemented the program, ensuring it adhered to established guidelines and timelines.
Application and Selection Process:
- Designed and managed an online application portal in partnership with Cobell, simplifying the submission process for applicants.
- Coordinated with a panel of AISES member experts to review and evaluate applications.
- Implemented a fair and transparent selection process, resulting in the awarding of scholarships to highly qualified candidates.
Financial Management:
- Established a budget for the program, meticulously tracking scholarship payments and administrative budgets.
- Developed financial reports and presented them to key stakeholders, ensuring transparency and accountability.
- Leveraged fundraising efforts to secure additional funding for the program, enabling the expansion of AISES scholarship opportunities.
Recipient Support and Monitoring:
- Provided ongoing support to scholarship recipients, addressing their academic and personal needs through open lines of communication such as email or phone calls.
- Established the Full-Ciricle Mentorship program system by connecting students with industry professionals to foster personal and professional growth.
- Monitored the academic progress of recipients and offered guidance and resources when necessary.
Impact Assessment:
- Implemented data collection and evaluation methods to measure the program's impact on recipients' academic achievements and career prospects.
- Conducted surveys and interviews to gather feedback from scholarship recipients, which informed program improvements.
- Generated annual reports summarizing the program's outcomes and impact, facilitating donor engagement and showcasing the program's success.
Community Engagement and Outreach:
- Organized community awareness campaigns and fundraising reports to promote the scholarship program.
- Established partnerships with educational institutions, community organizations, and fellow scholarship providers to expand the program's reach.
- Conducted regular presentations and webinars to engage with potential applicants and supporters.
- Adaptation and Continuous Improvement:
- Remained proactive in addressing program challenges and making necessary adjustments to improve its efficiency and effectiveness.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to review and update program policies and procedures.
- Implemented technological advancements to streamline processes, such as automating application tracking and communication with applicants.
Results and Impact:
- Over three years, the program has doubled from six partner scholarship opportunities to 12 partner scholarship opportunities resulting in over $250,000 new funding each year to bring the total scholarship budget to $750,000.
- Through coaching, outreach, and partnerships the total number of completed scholarship applications tripled from 475 in 2021 to 1350 2023.
- Regular impact assessments have shown that 65% of scholarship recipients attribute their success directly to the program's support and mentoring.