Region VIII is currently offering scholarships to support members in accessing professional and leadership development opportunities through ACUI seminars and institutes. Application deadline has been extended to Friday, May 19 2023.

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Pro tips for submitting a scholarship or award nomination

1. Keep it brief but meaningful!

a. Think of this like your LinkedIn profile or a conference presentation synopsis: brevity is key! We want to know why someone is deserving of the award or scholarship but know that you can achieve that in 2-3 paragraphs!

2. Ask a colleague or two to submit with you

a. If you ask 1-2 people to write a paragraph, bam, suddenly you’ve got additional content but no one had to spend 2 hours crafting the nomination.
b. If you’re nominating yourself, it’s gives that “3rd party credibility” that can make it easier for us to pat ourselves on the back!

3. Look at the criteria and speak to those aspects directly.

a. This helps the committee evaluate in an equitable manner!

Regional Conference Scholarship

Region VIII is currently offering scholarships to support members in accessing this year’s Regional Conference experience. Applications are being accepted for both individual and institutional registrations.

This year Region VIII will be awarding two types of regional conference scholarships: individual and institutional. These scholarships will cover the cost of registration for our virtual and/or in-person conference experience. 

Applicants should meet the following criteria:

  • Full-time professional at a Region VIII member institution
  • Applicant must provide a letter stating why they should receive the scholarship
  • Commit to sharing the knowledge gained through the experience upon return

Applications are due on Monday, October 3 and scholarship winners will be notified by early November.

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ACUI Region VIII Professional Development Scholarship

ACUI has many programs and conferences that aim to educate our higher education professionals. This scholarship serves as a means to give the opportunity to attend those programs despite financial constraints, and will offer up to $750 to be used toward an ACUI program such as IPDS: New Professionals Orientation, Women’s Leadership Institute, and the annual conference. This is also open to our international members.

Applicants should meet the following criteria:

  • Full-time professional at a Region VIII member institution
  • Have demonstrated commitment to the college union and student activities field through involvement at their institution
  • A letter of recommendation from a supervisor, as well as an application letter by the individual stating which program they are interested in attending and why
2018 Recipients
  • Dezanae Boston-Berneir, University of Massachusetts–Lowell, for IPDS
  • Shona Cooper, University of Connecticut, for IPDS

Thomas Ahern Scholarship

Thomas E. Ahern served as the director of the Student Union at the University of Connecticut for 30 years before retiring on July 1, 1982. During his 30 years of dedicated service, he epitomized the spirit of the student union and its mission. He was an avid supporter of undergraduate and graduate students of Region VIII wishing to enter the student union/student activities field. His interest in student union/student activities extended beyond the university campus. He was an active member of ACUI for 30 years, serving as a Region VIII (then Region I) representative, as well as a panelist, moderator, and speaker at numerous regional and national conferences. This scholarship was named to honor a man who made so many contributions to our field and to Region VIII. Thomas Ahern Scholarships are awarded annually to graduate and undergraduate students to enable them to attend a program sponsored by ACUI. These programs can include participation at the annual conference, I-LEAD® (a leadership program for undergraduates), or any other educational program (regional or international) sponsored by ACUI. Scholarships of up to $750 will be awarded to help defray the costs involved.
**Self-nominations are strongly encouraged**

Applicants should meet the following criteria:

  • Must be a graduate or undergraduate student in good standing at a Region VIII member institution
  • Applicant must provide a letter stating their interest in attending a specific ACUI program and demonstrate a commitment to sharing the knowledge gained through experience upon return
2018 Recipient
  • Christine Roundtree, University of Vermont, for I-LEAD®
Donnchadh O'hAodha International Scholarship for Professional Development

Donnchadh O'hAodha has been actively involved with ACUI since 1989. As a longtime member of the Region VIII Leadership Team, he has worked from his side of the "pond" to connect the international members with the Region. As a presenter, host, mentor, and friend, he has enriched our region with his involvement. Additionally, he built the first Irish union, and also established and developed the Association of Students' Unions Administrators. We name this international scholarship after him to honor a special person who epitomizes ACUI's commitment to community building. Donnchadh has made innumerable contributions to our field, the Association, and particularly our region. The Donnchadh O'hAodah Professional Development International Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 will be awarded each year to a professional staff member to attend a professional development opportunity held overseas but offered within Region VIII, such as a conference or program offered by one of ACUI's sister organizations in the United Kingdom or for the ACUI annual conference. Please note: The scholarship must be used within one year from date of award.

Applicants should meet the following criteria:

  • Full-time professional staff members at a Region VIII member institution
  • Minimum of three years professional experience in the field of higher education 
  • Applicant must provide a letter stating their interest in attending a specific ACUI program and demonstrate a commitment to sharing the knowledge gained through experience upon return
I-LEAD® Scholarship

Region VIII is offering one I-LEAD® scholarship to support an undergraduate student. The scholarship covers up to $1,000 per student for registration and travel. During the six-day program, all participants follow the same curriculum. The living-learning, substance-free environment allows for close bonds to form among students and facilitators. The unique intensity of the institute engages participants in an open and safe exploration of topics such as values and vision, diversity, conflict resolution, communication, decision-making, and goal-setting. Bringing together individuals from a variety of backgrounds, leadership positions, and geographic regions, both students and facilitators will build some of the most personally and professionally rewarding relationships with peers and mentors from across the association, all united with the goal of improving the quality of campus community life for all.

Nominees should meet the following criteria:

  • Undergraduate student member from a Region VIII member institution
  • Involved for at least one year in the student union and student activities profession as a student organization member, leader, student employee, or volunteer
  • Applicant must provide a letter stating why they are interested in attending I-LEAD® and demonstrate a commitment to sharing the knowledge gained through the experience upon return
  • Familiar with the ACUI and its mission
2018 Recipient
  • Jason Howell, Albertus Magnus College
Diversity & Inclusion Mini-Grant

This grant was developed to support and further ACUI’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Driven by principles of mutual respect, common purpose, and equity for all persons, the Association is committed to creating and maintaining a sense of community and inclusion for all its constituents and raising awareness regarding issues of oppression. Diversity, inclusion, equity, access, and multiculturalism, regardless of how they have been named, are not only important to our association, but to the work on our campuses. To that end, this mini-grant was designed to provide support and funding for a program, initiative, training, or experience that seeks to enhance participants’ intercultural proficiency and/or understanding of social justice, diversity, inclusion, and equity. A mini-grant of up to $500 will be awarded to defray the costs involved.

Applicants and grant proposals should meet the following criteria:

  • The proposed program or experience must be implemented within one year following the award.
  • Applicant must provide a program proposal of no more than 2 pages which includes the following:
    • Project Description – Describe the project structure, duration, content, implementation timeline and intended audience.
    • Goals – What are you trying to accomplish?
    • Learning Objectives – Brief statements that describe what participants will have learned at the end of the experience.
    • Funding – Describe how the funds will used to support the proposal
  • Upon completion of the program/experience, the awardee must provide a one-page overview to Region VIII, describing the impact and the success of their learning   objectives.