ASCENSO Hispanic Fellowship

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council of Ventura County
• Logrando Bienestar (Achieving Well-Being) Program 
• La Clave
• Ventura County Behavioral Health
• Santa Paula Latino Town Hall

1. Aid in the growth of awareness around persistent issues perpetuating inequities for Hispanic students, families and communities. 
2. Explore tangible solutions through research and communication with community, community leaders, and mentors.
3. Increase student communication, advocacy, and leadership skills, while helping strengthen the understanding and cooperation needed to build an equitable society for all, with an emphasis on justice for Hispanic people.

1. Open to Cal Lutheran Freshman, Sophomore and Junior undergraduate students and all graduate students. 
2. Must have a GPA of 2.8 or above.

Must show history of interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion: community service, exploration of personal cultural identity, and/or involvement in organizations focused on social, economic, and environmental justice for Hispanic, working class, or immigrant communities.

ASCENSO Hispanic Scholars will be engaged in the following activities from May through September:

1. Students will participate in an eight-week fellowship to develop research that bring awareness toward the issues that perpetuate inequities in the Hispanic community of Ventura County and propose potential solutions. 
   1. Topics tied to the Hispanic Community of Ventura County delivered in different platforms. For example: educational disparities, mental health services, access to parks and recreational areas, culturally sensitive healthcare, disparities in community representation. 
2. Students will meet periodically with mentors and peers for guidance and reflection on the topic of their project (Ventura County DEI Council, ASCENSO fellows, Latin American Student Organization (LASO) club).
3. Students will participate in discussions and activities intended to increase their understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in community and educational settings. (Aug-Sep)
4. Students will present oral reports of their intership outcomes at Cal Lutheran and/or at least one community forum to promote advocacy and cooperative efforts to bring justice for the Hispanic community in Ventura County. (Aug-Sep)

Write a single essay addressing the following prompts. Limit your statement to one to three double-spaced pages with 1-inch margins. Use Times New Roman or Arial, 12-point font. 

1. Share your educational background, involvement in campus organizations and community activities.
2. What motivated you to apply to the ASCENSO Hispanic Fellowship program? Discuss how your participation in the program will help you achieve your goals.
3. Describe your preparation for participation in the ASCENSO Hispanic Fellowship program as it relates to your education and experience.
4. Discuss how the purpose of the ASCENSO Hispanic Fellowship program resonates with your own experiences or observations concerning root issues impacting inequities in Hispanic communities.

1. The student’s motivation to become an ASCENSO Hispanic Scholar is in alignment with the purpose of the program (statement of purpose).
2. Applicant expresses competence to carry out research (academic achievement, educational background, experience).
3. Professional references strongly support the student’s capacity and interest to achieve the goals of the ASCENSO Hispanic Fellowship Program.
4. The essay is free from distracting errors.