Student Opportunities

 

Fall 2013

Louise Green and Elizabeth Smith Graduate Scholarship in Women's and Gender Studies

 

The University of Montana Women’s and Gender Studies Program offers one $800 scholarship through the Louise Greene/Elizabeth Smith honorary awards program.  This scholarship is awarded Fall of the academic year.

Criteria:

  1. Open to WGS Graduate Certificate students.
  2. Applicants must be officially enrolled as a certificate seeking graduate by the time of their application.  It is possible to apply for the graduate certificate concurrently with the application.
  3. Applicant must be attending the Spring semester following the application due date.
  4. Applicant must be currently working on or have completed a research paper in their field.

Application Process:

Applicants for the scholarship are to submit the following for consideration by the Women’s Studies Scholarship Committee:

  1. A letter of application including a 300 – 350 word essay discussing current research and how it relates to Women’s and Gender Studies and projected career goals.
  2. 2 letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a WGS affiliated faculty member.
  3. A current academic transcript.

The committee requests that students collect their letters of recommendation and submit them with their application packets. Please ask your recommender to place the letter in a sealed envelope and sign over the seal.

Students who have previously been awarded a WGS scholarship are not eligible.

 

 Fall 2013 Graduate scholarship applications are due TBA. Please bring applications to LA 138A.

 

Spring 2014

Louise Green and Elizabeth Smith Undergraduate Scholarship in Women's and Gender Studies

For Excellence in Academics

 

The University of Montana Women’s and Gender Studies Program offers two $800 scholarships through the Louise Greene/Elizabeth Smith honorary awards program. The two scholarships are for excellence in either 1) academics (Spring semester) or 2) WGS-related activism (Fall semester).

Criteria:

  • Open to undergraduate students with a 3.0 or higher GPA.
  • Applicants must have at least Junior status by the time of their application. Transfer students must be in their second semester at The University of Montana.
  • Students must be either a Liberal Studies Major with an emphasis in Women’s and Gender Studies or a Women’s and Gender Studies Minor. It is possible to apply for either the major or minor concurrently with the application.

Application Process:

Applicants for the scholarship are to submit the following for consideration by the Women’s Studies Scholarship Committee:

  • A letter of application indicating for which scholarship you are applying; academics (Spring) or activism (Fall), including a 300 to 350 word essay discussing your community and University activities related to Women’s and Gender Studies and a brief statement of your projected career goals.
  • 2 letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a WGS affiliated faculty member.
  • A current transcript.

The committee requests that students collect their letter of recommendation and submit it with their application packets. Please ask your recommender to place the letter in a sealed envelope and sign over the seal. Students who have previously been awarded a WGS scholarship are not eligible.

Spring 2013 Undergraduate scholarships will be given for excellence in academics. Deadline for Spring 2014 TBA.

 

Student Travel Grants

 

Student travel grants may be awarded to students who have been chosen to present a paper at a meeting or conference that is pertinent to Women's and Gender Studies. Eligible students are those who are enrolled in the Women’s and Gender Studies Program or Graduate Certificate Program. Travel Grant funds can only be utilized for conference registration fees, transportation and lodging expenses.

To apply, please send a one-page letter to the Women’s and Gender Studies Program Coordinator that includes the following:

1. Name of the meeting/conference you will be attending
2. Location of the meeting/conference
3. Title of the paper you will be presenting and how the topic relates to the Women's and Gender Studies Program mission. The mission can be found here.
4. Abstract of your paper
5. Summary of other funding sources for your travel and your travel budget
6. Amount of funding requested from Women’s and Gender Studies

7. A letter of support from a WGS affiliated faculty member.

TBA -- Application Deadline for conference travel from July 1 - Dec. 31, 2013

TBA -- Application Deadline for conference travel from Jan. 1st -June 30, 2014

*Decisions made post deadline. Maximum award amount is $150.

If you have questions, please contact the Women’s and Gender Studies office at 243-2584.

 

Volunteer with WORD: Become a FIT Tutor

Often lacking transportation, school supplies and a stable place to study, homeless students miss out on key parts of school. WORD's Families in Transition (FIT) Program focuses on providing assistance to families and children who qualify as homeless or at-risk of homelessness in the Missoula County Public School System. WORD tutors work one-on-one with children in elementary and middle school, providing two 30-45 minute sessions per week. The tutoring team consists of volunteers and AmeriCorps members from within Missoula. Tutoring sessions take place at schools under the direction of teachers, between the hours of 8:30am and 3:30pm, Monday through Friday. Our tutors provide academic support, and model social behavior and provide consistency within the school setting. Through the service and guidance of WORD tutors and advocates, we can change the world, one child at a time. Interested in volunteering? Contact Ben Brewster, Volunteer Coordinator at bbrewster@wordinc.org.

Introducing the Women's Leadership Project

Today and every day, Missoula women make difficult decisions: between staying in a low-wage job or seeking an education, or whether to pay a bill or buy food for their families.  WORD is proud to introduce The Women's Leadership Project (WLP), dedicated to empowering individuals to reach their full potential and participate actively in the decisions that affect their lives.  The Project will offer information, monthly leadership groups and quarterly training sessions.  Leadership group participants will identify common goals, share experiences and learn basic leadership skills.  Training sessions will prepare participants to advocate for themselves and their families in settings such as education, health, social services and public policy.   WLP also includes the Young Parents Panel.  Participants receive training in public speaking and help to spread a powerful pregnancy prevention message to over 500 youth each year. Groups and sessions are open to women of all ages, with or without children.  Trainings are also open to men who wish to participate. Dates to be announced;  please visit us at http://www.wordinc.org/ for updates. WLP is funded by the Stranahan Foundation.

Volunteer with The Western Montana Community Center

The Western Montana Community Center is seeking dedicated volunteers to help with staffing the Center on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday nights. This is a great opportunity to help us plan events, promote the Center and its functions. If you are interested in volunteering at the Center, please contact bree.sutherland@gaymontana.org

 

The Missoula YWCA Pathways Program has many opportunities available to address the needs of women and children who have survived domestic and sexual violence. If being a YWCA advocate interests you, please call 543-6691 for more info.

Western Montana Gay and Lesbian Community Center Volunteer positions at the WMGLCC include: staffing the office, events planning, grant writing, program committee, program director, and board of directors. If interested please call 543-2224

Big Sisters of Missoula Mentoring is a multi-cultural, age old concept where adults befriend a young person in order to pass on wisdom. Mentoring is making a difference in children’s lives. Currently Big Sisters is in need of mentors for middle school children; however children of all ages are looking for a friend. Please call 721-2380

The Missoula County Victim Assistance Program is looking for volunteers and interns for the Crime Victim Advocate Office. For application forms and more information call 523-4630.