Toni Johnson Scholars for Racial and Social Justice Program

Toni Johnson Scholars are BSW students in the School of Social Welfare who have experienced historical and contemporary marginalization and oppression. Scholars receive an annual scholarship, mentoring, and professional development opportunities. 

Eligibility:

• BSW student in the KUSSW during the 2023-2024 academic year
• Full-time and part-time students are eligible from any campus/site
• Identifies with at least one of the following groups (students of color/from the global majority and students within two or more groups will be prioritized):
  • Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian/Asian-American, and/or multiracial
  • First generation college student (first in family to attend college)
  • High financial need (federal Pell grant-eligible or other areas of financial need)
  • LGBTQIA+, two-spirit, or not heterosexual or not cisgender
  • Disabled, student with a disability, or with chronic health concerns

Program Details:

• 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 needed to re-apply, as contingent upon meeting program requirements and funding.

  • For the 2023-2024 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 monthly 1:1 faculty mentoring with Director
• 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 demographic and program questions, as well as an essay addressing the following in 500 words or less:
  • What does it mean to you to be a Toni Johnson Scholar for Racial & Social Justice?
  • What do you hope to gain, personally or professionally, by being a Toni Johnson Scholar?
  • What strengths do you bring to the program?
• Application deadline: June 16, 2023
• Notice of awards: July 14, 2023
• Scholars Program Application

   

Toni Johnson Scholars are MSW students in the School of Social Welfare who have experienced historical and contemporary marginalization and oppression. Scholars receive an annual scholarship, mentoring, and professional development opportunities. 

Eligibility:

• MSW in the KUSSW during the 2023-2024 academic year
• Full-time and part-time students are eligible from any campus/site
• Identifies with at least one of the following groups (students of color/from the global majority and students within two or more groups will be prioritized):
  • Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian/Asian-American, and/or multiracial
  • First generation college student (first in family to attend college)
  • High financial need (federal Pell grant-eligible or other areas of financial need)
  • LGBTQIA+, two-spirit, or not heterosexual or not cisgender
  • Disabled, student with a disability, or with chronic health concerns

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 2024. 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:

• Monthly 1:1 mentoring with Director
• Monthly group mentoring with BSW Scholars
• Present on focus area for the SSW community in spring 2024; 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 demographic and program questions, as well as an essay addressing the following in 750 words or less:
  • What does it mean to you to be a Toni Johnson Scholar for Racial & Social Justice?
  • What strengths do you bring to mentoring BSW students within a racial and social justice lens?
  • What do you hope to gain, personally or professionally, by being a Toni Johnson Scholar?
  • 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.
• Application deadline June 16, 2023
• Notice of awards: July 14, 2023
• Scholars Program Application

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 2023-2024 academic year
• Will be conducting pre-dissertation or dissertation research between July 31, 2023 and June 28, 2024
• 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
• Application information will be announced in August 2023

Awardee Benefits:

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