ST. GEORGE — Women in underserved communities received scholarships and participated in the new “Mentor in a Minute” program. The St. George branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) hosted a luncheon Monday to present the winners with their scholarships.
Matching students with mentors to guide them has been a tradition. But this was the first time the branch hosted a “Mentor in a Minute” to let students meet potential mentors in person first.
“We were able to match comfortably 16 mentees to our mentors. It started us off for the year with great enthusiasm not only with financial help for them but also with a mentor to help them throughout the year,” Pat Dalpiaz, American Association of University Women, St. George branch member, said.
The local branch awarded 30 scholarships to women who show financial need and promise to complete their degrees. This year they awarded $39,000 in scholarship monies and guidance to help students deal with educational and personal challenges, Dalpiaz said.
“We seek out and market to indigenous, minority, and non-traditional students,” Dalpiaz said.
The group also reached out to the Shivwits Band of Paiutes Karma Grayman, a member of the Shivwits Education Committee. Although the tribe offers scholarships to tribal members, the American Association of University Women scholars would offer even more opportunities for students, Grayman said.
“We encourage education so that our tribal members can learn to run their own businesses someday because we, as a tribe, are growing,” Grayman said.
Scholarship assistance helps potential students not worry so much and helps take the pressure off them. The scholarships support students to be able to stay closer to home for schooling, which is often more comfortable for them, she said.
One of the scholarship winners is Shaquoyah Silvas, a Native American of the Shivwits Band of Paiutes majoring in Early Childhood Development. Her mother, Hope, attended the luncheon with her and Karma Grayman.
Twenty-six minorities applied for scholarships this year, and six didn’t receive a scholarship. Dalpiaz said that out of the 20 applicants who were awarded a scholarship, most were Latino.
“Mentor in a Minute” was created due to the challenge of getting the mentee and mentor together. Members Dalpiaz, Lois Diehl and Shannon Anderson felt that a new approach was needed since everybody involved usually scatters for the summer. During the activity, a whistle was blown every minute to cause the rotation. The mentors had a post-it-note number unique to them pasted on their forehead. The mentee then selected and wrote down three numbers of any of the mentors on their card they liked and turned the card in at the end of the event. Dalpiaz said that the organizers put the final tallies on a spreadsheet to match participants up.
Expectations for the mentors and mentees include:
- Mentors share advice on personal and professional growth.
- Mentors celebrate the big and small wins, show support and provide words of encouragement.
- Mentors communicate to the mentor chairperson quarterly regarding the status of the relationship.
- Mentors and mentees understand this program is for one year. If mentors and mentees agree, the relationship can continue informally.
- Mentors and mentees will commit to quarterly contact and in-person meetings 2 – 3 times per year.
The scholarship committee establishes the criteria. The scholarships are based on women who demonstrate a financial need and have the potential for educational success by completing their degrees. The website stated that the sources of funding include the annual gala event, other branch-sponsored fundraisers, and private donations.
Scholarships are available to female Utah residents in the greater St. George area who demonstrate a financial need and ability to finish their degree. Other requirements include:
- Women who are attending, or plan to attend, a local college or university to continue their educational goals. This also applies to females with a GED.
- Dixie Technology College female students are considered if they intend to continue their education after their certification program.
- Support for Graduate Degree programs.
- Financial need is based on FAFSA approval.
- Demonstrate an ability to finish a four-year degree.
- For college students, a 2.5 GPA is required.
- Part-time (6 hours) and full-time students are eligible.
Previous scholarship recipients may re-apply and receive a maximum of three awards
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