Chavez Fund for Professional Development

The Chavez Fund for Professional Development has been established by Abel and Naomi Chavez to provide scholarship assistance to Western Colorado University students. The purpose of the Chavez Fund for Professional Development is to support undergraduate students from historically underrepresented backgrounds at Western Colorado University in their professional development and growth. Endeavors that provide a platform for qualifying undergraduate students to be challenged professionally will be highly prioritized.

Applicants for the Scholarship:

A. Must be an undergraduate student from historically under-represented backgrounds at Western Colorado University. Scholarships designated being available Ëœspecifically for under-represented student populations’swill be based on the U.S. Department of Education’s standards for race and ethnicity outlined here. Ethnicity refers to individuals who identify as Hispanic/Latino, Chicano, Cuban, Puerto Rican, or Mexican American. Under-represented Race classifications will include individuals who identify as American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Filipino, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander.
B. Preference given to students engaging with endeavors that provide a platform for students to be challenged professionally. Endeavors including but not limited to, oral research presentations at national conferences, as opposed to simply attending a conference

Application

The Cha¡vez family asks that each qualifying student submit a one page (max) executive summary and a draft budget for the fiscal managers consideration. The executive summary should articulate:
- What is the professional development activity
- What unique activity the student(s) will be undertaking to merit the monies
- How will said activity challenge them professionally

Up to four awards of up to $1,500 will be awarded annually.

Student’s may apply at any point during the academic year, at least six weeks month prior to said endeavor.

The fiscal managers selected for this Fund are Ms. Sally Romero and Dr. Ricardo Vazquez-Perales. As fiscal agents, they both will have final say in the assigning of these funds.

To be awarded, the fiscal managers will notify the Foundation, Financial Aid and advisor of the student’s application that will oversee the use of the scholarship award. The award will be transferred to the specified fund verified by the advisor, for use under the stated criteria of the Chavez Fund for Professional Development.