Marquette University Graduate School Commitment to Diversity
Introduction
As a Catholic, Jesuit University, Marquette recognizes and cherishes the dignity of each individual. We are committed to this by encouraging the diversity of our faculty, student body, and staff, and by nurturing an atmosphere in which differences can be appreciated, enhancing the Marquette experience and providing for an opportunity for positive growth as we learn from those differences.
Marquette University Graduate School Diversity Fellowships
The Graduate School has established a limited number of Diversity Fellowships to assist qualified graduate students to attend Marquette. These are merit-based fellowships and are designed to recruit and support students who, through their very presence on campus and their participation in academic and campus life, will enrich the experiences of all faculty, staff and students.
Benefits
The funding package for these Fellowships includes:
A full tuition scholarship,
A $20,000 stipend paid over ten months,
Partially-subsidized health insurance, and
Research and travel opportunities.
These fellowships are for new students and will be awarded at the time of admission. As long as satisfactory academic progress is made, in accordance with our policy for merit-based aid, the awards can be renewed for a total of two years for students in master’s programs, or for a total of four years for recipients in doctoral programs.
Eligibility
To be eligible for one of the Diversity Fellowships, students must:
Be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident,
Be enrolled as a full-time graduate student in a Marquette University degree program, and
Meet the diversity criteria listed below:
Be a member of a historically underrepresented group in higher education (African American, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, or Hispanic-American, and/or
Be a first-generation college student, and/or
Have a history of overcoming a significant disadvantage.
Application Process for Students
Applicants for admission who want to be considered for the Diversity Fellowship must:
Check the box on the application for admission that indicates that the student is interested in competing for financial aid,
Notify the Director of Graduate Studies in the academic department to which the applicant is seeking admission that he/she is interested in being considered for the Diversity Fellowship,
Write and submit to the Director of Graduate Studies in the academic department to which the applicant is seeking admission an essay of not more than 500 words stating the following:
How the applicant is eligible for the Diversity Fellowship,
How his/her presence on campus will enhance the richness of the Marquette experience, and
How he/she intends to use his/her Marquette experience to benefit others.
The above steps must be completed by February 15.
Nomination Process for Departments
Each academic department may nominate one applicant for the Diversity Fellowship in accordance with the availability schedule from the Graduate School. Nominations from departments must include:
A one-page letter of nomination from the department director of graduate studies, and
The applicant’s 500 word essay.
Nominations from the departments must be submitted to the Graduate School by March 1. They will be reviewed by the Graduate School’s Assistant Vice Provost, Assistant Dean, and Assistant Director for Financial Aid. They will make award recommendations to the Dean of the Graduate School, who will make the final award decisions.
Award recipients will be notified by April 1, and they must accept or decline the award by April 15.
Number of Awards/Availability Schedule
In 2009-10, the first term of the fellowship, there was one fellowship made to an incoming master’s degree student, and one made to an incoming doctoral student.
One new master’s award will be made each year, and one new doctoral award will be made every 4th year.
In 2013-14 there will be one new master’s and one new doctoral award made.
The program may be expanded in future years if funds become available. Questions can be directed to Thomas.Marek@marquette.edu.
