Scholars

Scholastic Connections is a scholarship and mentorship program for high-achieving students of color (American Indian, Hispanic/Latino, Pan-Afrikan and Pan Asian) at Augsburg College.  It is designed to assist students succeed at Augsburg and beyond.  Admission to the program happens through an application and interview process.  A selection committee reviews applications and makes recommendations to the President who announces the winners.

Each year five new recipients are selected.  Recipients receive a $5000 scholarship for the academic year and are paired with a mentor who is a successful alum of color.  Program participation may be renewed for succeeding years provided Scholars meet the eligibility requirements as detailed on the Scholastic Connections award letter.

Benefits to being in a mentoring relationship:
Access to someone who has been to Augsburg and completed their undergraduate degree
Access to someone successful in their field
Opportunity to get to know someone new
Networking opportunities
Receive recognition and support for who I am and what I am doing
Personal growth and development
Career development and planning
Personal guide/coach

Preparing to be in a mentoring relationship:
To maximize the experience, Scholars are encouraged to spend time reflecting on what it takes to be in relationship with a mentor, through a series of self reflection questions:
Who am I?
Where do I come from?
What is my learning style?
How do I prefer to be directed/guided?
How do I respond to feedback, positive and negative?
What skills are required to be an effective mentee?
Which of these skills do I have?
What do I want out of this relationship?
What do I want to know about my mentor?
What are my goals in this program?
What might be some stumbling blocks that might get in the way of my success?
What strategies might I employ for block-busting?

Eligibility Criteria for Acceptance into Scholastic Connections
Applicants must be a returning Augsburg College student or an advanced standing transfer student.  First time freshmen enrollees are not eligible for this program.
Applicants must have demonstrated financial need as determined by the Financial Aid Office
Applicants must have demonstrated involvement in community activities
Applicants must have demonstrated leadership abilities or potential
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5

Application Process
Applicants must complete the following:
Scholastic Connections Application (due 3/1)
One letter of recommendation from someone other than a family member (due 3/1)
A completed financial aid file (due 3/1)
An application interview with Cindy Peterson (completion deadline 3/15)

Selection Process
A selection committee will meet the 3rd week of March to determine recipients
Recommendations will be made to the President.  All applicants will be notified of the status of their application by early April.

Scholars Profiles – 2009-10

Bryan Anderson
American Indian – White Earth nation
Junior Economics major, Spanish and Math minors
Plays baseball
Tutored at South High School
Works at Campus Kitchens (Baseball)
Plans to study abroad in London spring semester

Richmond Appleton
Permanent resident from Liberia.  Immigrated to US from Ghana
5th year Senior majoring in Environmental Studies.  Interested in working on sustainability
Participated in SC trip to Cuernavaca
Participated in summer student abroad in New Zealand
Became US Citizen in 2009

Kovan Baldwin
Pan-Afrikan student
Junior, Mass Communications major, Youth & Family Ministry minor
Community Assistant in Res Life
Tutors at Longfellow Elementary
Belongs to PASU
Passionate about music – singing and song writing

Nou Chang
Hmong.  Family emigrated to US from Thailand
5th year Senior, majoring in Biology and English.  Pre-med student
Participated in SC trip to Cuernavaca
Studied abroad in South Korea fall semester 2008
Participated in medical mission trip to Costa Rica and Nicaragua summer 2009

Amanda Dionne
American Indian – Turtle Mountain and Lame Deer nations
Junior, Business Management major.  Interested in working in American Indian community
Works for Pillsbury House, tutors at Little Earth
Participates in Native Student Association

Jessica Fajardo
Hispanic/Latina
Born in New York, parents from Ecuador.  Parents sent back to Ecuador
Sophomore, Urban Studies and English double major.
Belongs to ALAS and does weekly Spanish Club conversations
TRIO student

Hapistinna (Graci) Horne
American Indian – Sisseton Wahpeton nation
Junior, Art History major
Very involved in her Lakota/Dakota community, helping at feasts, ceremonies, with Elders, coordinating memorial runs and walks, organizing the youth part of World Peace and Prayer Day observances.  Currently organizing an immersion camp in traditional Native ways for youth.  Supports herself through sale of her artwork

Richard LaRoque
American Indian – Sisseton Wahpeton nation
Senior, American Indian Studies major.  Interested in being a chemical dependency counselor
Divorced with 2 children
Actively involved in leadership capacity in Native Student Association

Faiza Mahamud
Permanent resident from Somalia
Junior, Journalism, Chemistry and Women’s Studies major.  Interested in empowering women.  Would like to be a media writer
Member of the Muslim student association
Member of Pan-Afrikan Student Union
Volunteers tutoring at Brian Coyle Center and Campus Kitchen
Became US Citizen in 2009

Sergio Monterrubio
International student from Mexico City
Junior, Communication Studies major.  Interested in Broadcasting
President of International Student Association

Ka Youa Vang
Hmong.  Born in Thailand.  Migrated here in early 90′s.
Does traditional dance (Asian)
Sophomore, undecided, thinking about Environmental Studies
TRIO
AASA – leadership role for retreat and Lunar New Year celebration

Mai Yer Vang
Hmong student.  Immigrated to US from Thailand
Junior, Sociology major.  Unsure of career path but wants to do something with multiculturalism
TRIO student and works in TRIO office
President of Augsburg Asian Student Association
Participated in SC trip to Cuernavaca
Participated in study abroad to Egypt summer 2008-09

Pa Dao Yang
Hmong student
Junior, Sociology major.  Interested in working in Student Affairs in Higher Education
TRIO student
Resident Advisor in Mortenson Hall
Participated in SC trip to Cuernavaca