Benefits and Expectations
Benefits of the Program
Community Scholars for Black Lives gain access to a number of valuable benefits:
- $5,000 Fellowship/Scholarship Award to be applied to fall and spring semesters. If the scholar’s program concludes (graduation) at the end of the fall semester, the entire Fellowship/Scholarship Award will be applied to the fall semester.
- Mentorship from faculty and partners from organizations engaged in advancing the progression of Black constituents.
- Travel funds to attend local or national conference focused on equity and justice in the black community.
- Project budget up to $500 (to be applied only to project expenses).
- Recognition as Community Scholar.
Expectations of Scholars
Community Scholars for Black Lives are engaged in but not limited to the following activities from September through April:
- Develop a research project that illuminates the issues of systemic racism and/or social structures that perpetuate oppression while posing potential solutions to these problems through projects that engage the Cal Lutheran and/or Ventura County community.
- Scholars completing programs (graduating) at the end of the fall semester will be expected to attend, participate in all required program events and activities in the spring semester.
- Periodically meet with faculty advisers and mentors for guidance on project.
- Participate in a Black History Month panel discussion intended to increase understanding of issues impacting Black communities in healthcare, finance, and business.
- Attend professional development, leadership, and research workshops.
- Present oral reports of project outcomes at Cal Lutheran and at least one community forum.
- Execute and present the project outcomes at Cal Lutheran for campus and external community in the spring semester.
- Attend local or national conference focused on equity and justice in the black community (not required).
- Attend and be recognized during Celebration of Academic Excellence and Recognition Culmination event.