Toni Johnson Scholars for Racial and Social Justice Program

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Overview: Toni Johnson Scholars for Racial and Social Justice Program

The Toni Johnson Scholars for Racial and Social Justice Program supports BSW, MSW, and PhD students in the KU School of Social Welfare who are dedicated to transforming lives and social conditions while promoting racial, social, economic and environmental justice.

Dr. Toni Johnson was a member of the KU School of Social Welfare faculty from 2005-2016. As a practitioner, researcher and professor, Dr. Johnson aimed to be a social change agent, advocating for the inclusion, equity and belonging of all people and championing racial justice. Beyond her professional contributions, she was fondly remembered as a community member who brought positive energy and was actively involved in community building. Driven by her dedication to supporting students within and outside the classroom, both formally and informally as a mentor, she played a pivotal role in inspiring the Vision, Values and Guiding Principles of the KU School of Social Welfare.

Through financial support, mentoring, leadership and professional development opportunities, the Toni Johnson Scholars for Racial & Social Justice Program aims to enhance community, retention and success for program scholars.

BSW scholars are admitted into the program for the entirety of their BSW program as long as they remain in good standing. MSW scholars are admitted for one academic year.

The Toni Johnson Scholars for Racial & Social Justice Program provides three programs for students in the KU School of Social Welfare.

  1. BSW Students: Toni Johnson Scholars ($3,000) 

  2. MSW Students: Toni Johnson Scholars ($6,000) 

  3. PhD Students: Toni Johnson Dissertation Award ($3,000) 

Scholar Program Details

Toni Johnson Scholars are BSW students in the School of Social Welfare who display a commitment to service and social justice. Scholars receive an annual scholarship, mentoring and professional development opportunities. 

Eligibility:

  • BSW student in the KUSSW during the 2024-2025 academic year
  • Full-time and part-time students are eligible from any campus/site
  • Students of all backgrounds and lived experiences that aligns with the mission of the TJC are encouraged to apply, including:
    • First-generation college students (first in family to attend college)
    • Students with high financial need (federal Pell grant-eligible or other areas of financial need)
    • Students facing social inequities and disparities in education
  • Display a commitment to service, justice and the values of the social work profession, the School of Social Welfare’s Vision & Mission, as well as the Mission of TJC

Program Details:

  • As far as possible, a minimum of two BSW students per program level (first year, sophomore, etc.) will be admitted to the program and can remain in the program until BSW graduation without needing to re-apply, as contingent upon meeting program requirements and funding.
  • For the 2024-2025 academic year, priority will be given to BSW students who are first year students and sophomores; however, BSW students at all levels are encouraged to apply.

Program Requirements:

  • Engage in 1:1 faculty mentoring with Directors, as needed
  • Engage in monthly peer group/MSW student mentoring
  • Maintain good academic standing to the extent that student can remain enrolled in the BSW program
  • Engage with academic support as needed
  • Participate in at least one personalized professional development opportunity annually
  • Note: program requirements include flexibility in terms of virtual/phone/in-person meetings and in other ways

Benefits for Scholars:

  • Faculty, peer, and MSW student mentoring
  • Annual $3,000 scholarship ($1,500 per semester)
  • Personalized professional development opportunities
  • Affiliation with the Toni Johnson Center for Racial & Social Justice

How to Apply:

Application includes an online form with program questions, as well as an essay addressing each of the following within a range of 500 to 750 words:

  1. Looking at the life and work of Dr. Toni Johnson, and your own life experiences up to now, what does it mean to you to be a Toni Johnson Scholar for Racial & Social Justice?
  2. What do you hope to gain, personally or professionally, by being a Toni Johnson Scholar?
  3. What commitments to community (e.g. Connections, mutual support, collective identity that bind individuals; importance of shared experiences, sense of belonging) and/or other strengths would you bring to the Toni Johnson Scholars program?

Current students: The application link and deadlines will be sent to current students by email. Applications for the 2024-2025 academic year are due April 10, 2024.

Toni Johnson Scholars are MSW students in the School of Social Welfare who display a commitment to service and social justice. Scholars receive an annual scholarship, mentoring, and professional development opportunities.

Eligibility:

  • MSW in the KUSSW during the 2024-2025 academic year
  • Full-time and part-time students are eligible from any campus/site
  • Students of all backgrounds and lived experiences that aligns with the mission of the TJC are encouraged to apply, including:
    • First-generation college students (first in family to attend college)
    • Students with high financial need (federal Pell grant-eligible or other areas of financial need)
    • Students facing social inequities and disparities in education
  • Display a commitment to service, justice and the values of the social work profession, the School of Social Welfare’s Vision & Mission, as well as the Mission of TJC 

Program Details:

  • One MSW student will be admitted to the program for one academic year.
  • The Scholar will engage in research on an area related to racial justice and present it to the SSW community in spring 2025. Research is broadly defined and can include a formal research study with faculty or research staff, a critical literature review, engagement with a community or organization working on that focus area, creative scholarship, etc.
  • The scholar will be designated a research mentor in addition to their mentorship with the TJS Director.

Program Requirements:

  • 1:1 mentoring with faculty mentors, and with program directors as needed
  • Monthly group mentoring with BSW Scholars
  • Present on focus area for the SSW community in spring 2025; presentation should coincide within the focus area for the scholar
  • Participate in at least one personalized professional development opportunity
  • Maintain good academic standing to the extent that student can remain enrolled in the MSW program
  • Note: program requirements include flexibility in terms of virtual/phone/in-person meetings and in other ways

Benefits for Scholars:

  • 1:1 faculty mentoring
  • $6,000 scholarship ($3,000 per semester)
  • Leadership/Mentoring Skill Development
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Affiliation with the Toni Johnson Center for Racial & Social Justice

How to Apply:

Application includes an online form with program questions, as well as an essay addressing each of the following within a range of 500 to 1,000 words:

  1. Looking at the life and work of Dr. Toni Johnson, and your own life experiences up to now, what does it mean to you to be a Toni Johnson Scholar for Racial & Social Justice?
  2. What do you hope to gain, personally or professionally, by being a Toni Johnson Scholar?
  3. What commitments to community (e.g. Connections, mutual support, collective identity that bind individuals; importance of shared experiences, sense of belonging), mentoring BSW students, and/or other strengths would you bring to the Toni Johnson Scholars program?
  4. Discuss the research you are interested in doing related to racial justice. You do not need to have it all figured out—but share what interests you within that specific focus area.

Current students: The application link and deadlines will be sent to current students by email. Applications for the 2024-2025 academic year are due April 10, 2024.

The Toni Johnson Racial Justice Dissertation Award provides financial support for one or more PhD students engaged in dissertation research pertaining to racial justice.

Eligibility:

  • Enrolled as a PhD student in the KUSSW during 2024-2025 academic year
  • Will be conducting pre-dissertation or dissertation research between July 31, 2024, and June 28, 2025
  • Dissertation has or will have a racial justice focus
  • Commitment to attending one meeting of the Toni Johnson Scholars to share your research interests and providing mentoring around graduate school (1 hour commitment)

Program Details:

  • One or more PhD students will be awarded up to $3,000 for one academic year
  • Funds should be used to pay for research activities, defined broadly (software, participant incentives, access to secondary data, transcription, travel funds, etc.)
  • Funds can be used for pilot data prior to dissertation proposal; however, priority will be given to students who propose to use awarded funds for dissertation research

Awardee Benefits:

  • Financial support for dissertation research
  • Award for CV/resume
  • Affiliation with the Toni Johnson Center for Racial & Social Justice

How to Apply:

Application includes an online form with an essay (500-750 words) addressing each of the following:

  1. Dissertation topic and its connection to racial justice.
  2. How the award will help you carry out the research.
  3. A brief description of how you intend to use the funding.

2024-2025 Toni Johnson Scholar Recipients

The Toni Johnson Center for Racial and Social Justice has selected 14 School of Social Welfare students as a part of the Toni Johnson Scholars Program for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Read the full news announcement about this year's scholars.

Toni Johnson Scholars BSW Award:

  • Xavier Noriega
  • Lexi Whitson
  • Leah Loura
  • William Williams
  • Cole Harred
  • Shaza Al-Kassim
  • Yareli Ortiz
  • Payton Smith
  • Selena Reno
  • Nandhini Sachithanandham

Toni Johnson Scholars MSW Award:

  • Virginia De La Rosa
  • Tracy Yang

Toni Johnson Scholars Racial Justice Dissertation Award:

  • Michelle Ridley
  • Omowunmi Olaleye

Traci Dotson - MSW recipient

Dotson, who also received her BSW from KU, found more than just financial support and mentorship within the Toni Johnson Scholars Program. She learned that when reading up on the program before receiving the scholarship.

“Wow, this is actually exactly who I am,” Dotson said. “These are my people.”
Social work wasn’t unfamiliar to Traci Dotson when she began considering it as a career path.

Faith Lopez - BSW recipient

“With Toni Johnson Scholars Program, I think that was the embodiment of what I was really going after, was underserved or minority communities that often have to go through rigorous obstacles and adversities just to get in the same classroom where everyone else could be,” Lopez said.
Faith Lopez has a passion for helping people. It’s evident when they are serious and when they are involved in banter.

Olivia Sourivong - BSW recipient

Sourivong said her fulfillment with the program comes from working with people who share similar life goals and care about the same issues.

Ultimately, social work is about helping people. Sourivong said: “That could also be me.”
Sourivong, who received an Undergraduate Research Award from the Center for Undergraduate Research, prides herself on her morals and her values.

Our Scholars

"As a Toni Johnson Scholar, I have the opportunity to sharpen my knowledge and skills to reach my full potential as a social justice advocate." - Kristine Avelluto

"As a Toni Johnson Scholar recipient, I know I have the resources and support to navigate the adversities associated with college. Additionally, I have a spotlight to exercise my passions and enhance my community." - Xavier N.

"As a Toni Johnson scholar, I am grateful to receive a community that supports me in my social work journey. I am connected with current and graduated students who all bring a different element of social work to the table. Together we help each other be successful and educated through our different experiences and perspectives." - Laura Gutierrez

"As a Toni Johnson scholar I am supported, seen, and guided through college." - Lexi Whitson

Toni Johnson Scholars Program Directors

Joonmo Kang
Joonmo Kang
  • Assistant Professor
  • Faculty Affiliate, Toni Johnson Center for Racial and Social Justice
  • Co-Director, Toni Johnson Scholars Program
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