About the Scholarship

Minority Health Consultants (MHC) is a boutique Public Health consulting firm owned and operated by a minority woman native to Las Vegas, Alisa N. Howard who considers herself The Accidental Public Health Advocate. Since stumbling into Public Health in 2021, she has seen public health from three different lens in her career; state, local government, and community-based organization level. She felt most purposeful interacting and working directly with the community, therefore after a community HIV prevention program that she managed ended while the need of the community was still there; she decided to start MHC in 2018 as a solution.

MHC works directly with stakeholders who improve the health of minority communities. MHC bridges gaps between these stakeholders and the communities they serve through education, engagement, advocacy, and policy. MHC believes that addressing inequity based on social determinants through the public health lens will end stigma, disparities, and other barriers to health for communities of color, low-income populations, and other marginalized communities.

Giving back is something Ms. Howard enjoys and is passionate about. She believes, “when you give, others will pay it forward, and that is how we create change”. This scholarship was created as another way for Ms. Howard to create that change for the minority Public Health student who may need just a little help.

“Each one, Teach One” Alisa N. Howard, Owner & Founder of Minority Health Consultants

Who is Eligible to Apply

  1. Student(s) must be formally admitted to UNLV at the undergraduate level;
  2. Student(s) may be enrolled in classes either full or part-time;
  3. Recipients may reapply for this scholarship in subsequent years, provided they maintain the scholarship criteria and remain in good standing with the institution with a minimum 2.8 cumulative grade point average;
  4. Student(s) must show financial need as determined in the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Alternative Need Determination Form;
  5. Preference will be given to underrepresented students;
  6. Preference will be given to a student who is a member of an organization open to all, but whose mission is to advance the needs of Black, Indigenous, or people of color as demonstrated through a record of community service and volunteering that impacts underrepresented diverse communities. Such activities can be illustrated through submitted written materials as part of the application process;
  7. Consideration will be given to first-generation students.

How is the Candidate Selected

The candidate(s) shall be selected by the UNLV School of Public Health Scholarship Committee from among those applying through Financial Aid and Scholarships (Office). If the Committee fails to determine an eligible candidate(s) for the scholarship(s), the Office shall make such determination. Donors to the scholarship fund may not participate in the selection of students for this award. Recipients may reapply for this scholarship.

How is the Scholarship Awarded

The scholarship will first be applied to any tuition balance the student may have, and any remaining funds shall be distributed to the student as a monetary award.

How to Apply

Students should submit the following application materials (no more than 1-page total) no later than March 1, 2024 to: scholarships.sph@unlv.edu.

Please Include:

  • A 250 word essay on the driving factors behind your decision to study public health.
  • Email subject line should contain “LAST NAME and AWARD being applied to”

The awards will be given at the May 3rd, 2024 School of Public Health Honors Ceremony. Attendance is required.

Award Stipulations

Recipients of the Minority Health Consultants Scholarship grant(s) UNLV the right to publish their name and use the applicant’s likeness in a photograph in any and all of its publications, including website entries, without payment or any other consideration. These materials will become the property of UNLV and will not be returned. Recipients grant(s) UNLV the authority to edit, alter, copy, publish or distribute this photo for purpose of publicizing UNLV’s programs or for any other lawful purpose.