“I received scholarships, but they weren’t through the federal government or UNLV as a system. They were from donors,” said UNLV alumnus John Starkey, ‘12 M.Ed., Educational Leadership.
Many members of the college’s alumni chapter have similar experiences and that’s why the chapter is paying it forward with a scholarship aimed at helping students in need.
An Avenue for Impact
The chapter provides multiple paths for alumni to support students through scholarships, mentorship, or simply by being a part of a larger Rebel community. Making education more accessible is one of the chapter’s top priorities.
“We viewed it as a huge area for us to utilize and help students get educated. The scholarship is arguably the most practical thing we could do.”
Scholarship, Mentorship and Community
Beyond the scholarship, which they hope to sustain through additional fundraising, the chapter is involved in community engagement activities like preparing hygiene kits for UNLV’s Take What You Need program and cleaning books for children in partnership with Spread the Word.
The chapter is also in the process of establishing a mentoring program and getting even more involved in community building.
Matching Support From The Dean’s Office
The Dean’s office is doubling the impact of the scholarship with a plan to match the amount each year.
"We are incredibly grateful to our alumni chapter for their generosity in establishing this scholarship. Their commitment to supporting our students demonstrates the power of giving back and investing in the future of education.” Karim Hussain, the college’s director of development, shared. “This scholarship will make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students, helping them achieve their goals and make a lasting impact in their schools and communities."
About the Education Alumni Chapter Scholarship
The $2,000 scholarship will be awarded annually beginning Fall 2025, full-time students pursuing an undergraduate degree in education are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be Nevada residents, have earned at least 60 credits and have a 2.5 GPA or higher. Preference is given to students who demonstrate financial need based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) results. Non-FAFSA-eligible students must complete the Alternate Need
Determination (AND) Form. Applicants must answer the following essay question in the application: "As a future alumni, how do you plan to give back to the College of Education?"
Written by Sakinah Musa