Center for Women's and Gender Studies | College of Liberal Arts
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Scholarships

The Cynthia Walker Peña Scholarship in Women's and Gender Studies

This scholarship, co-sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts, honors the memory of Cynthia Walker Peña, who worked in Dean Robert King’s office in the College of Liberal Arts from 1979-1981. The $500 Cynthia Walker Peña Scholarship in Women’s and Gender Studies is awarded annually to an undergraduate student in good standing who has earned distinction in Women's and Gender Studies scholarship and service (with an emphasis on service). This scholarship of will be presented at the CWGS annual spring awards reception and recipient is expected to attend.

Requirements:

Students interested in applying must complete an online application (link below) that includes:

  • A description of your academic development and growth as a scholar/activist. What WGS course did you find to be a transformative part of your educational experience and why?
  • A description of a service or community experience that has had the most impact on your growth as a scholar activist
  • Submission of a resume.

Link to Peña Scholarship Application: https://forms.office.com/r/xWyNAG9NGk

Student Application Deadline: March 20th 2024 at 11:59pm

 

Lora Romero Memorial Award for Interdisciplinary Research in Race, Ethnicity and Gender (2024)

This scholarship, co-sponsored by the Department of English, is an annual award created in memory of former UT Austin colleague, Lora Romero. The $500 award alternates between undergraduate and graduate student recipients. The 2024 award will be given to an undergraduate student. The award recognizes students who are investigating the intersections between race, ethnicity and gender. The award will be presented at the CWGS annual spring awards reception.

Eligibility

To be eligible, an applicant must be a full-time UT Austin undergraduate student in good standing.

Students interested in applying must complete an online application and submit a scholarly research paper on a topic that contributes to increased understanding of the intersections between race, ethnicity and gender.  Only original, single-author works will be considered. Papers should be typed and double-space, unless submitting a published article. 

The research paper, including footnotes/sources/references/bibliography page, should be submitted as a PDF file (the file name should be "[YourLastName]-[CurrentYear]Romero.pdf"). Submit the paper via online application:

Link to Romero Award Application: https://forms.office.com/r/V6WSq9D7mS

Student Application Deadline: March 20th 2024 at 11:59pm

 

The William C. Powers Award for Undergraduate Students in WGS

The Center for Women’s & Gender Studies owes much of its growth over the recent decade to former University President, William C. Powers. During his inaugural address in 2006, President Powers identified the College of Liberal Arts as important players in his vision for the university.  He also gifted the Center for Women's and Gender Studies with the "William C. Powers Endowment for Undergraduate Students in WGS”.

The $1000 Powers Scholarship for Undergraduate Students in Women's and Gender Studies will be awarded to an undergraduate student in good standing who demonstrates academic excellence in Women's and Gender Studies.  Ideal candidates are students who are academically motivated, but are also emerging leaders in their communities.  Faculty may nominate students who stand out in their courses as key participants.  We welcome nominees who are first-generation college students, or otherwise underrepresented. 

Students must be nominated by faculty.  Faculty should write a recommendation letter regarding their nomination choice.  CWGS will choose an award recipient based on nomination statements letters from faculty, and their UT academic record. To nominate one of a WGS student for this award, faculty should email letters of support to Powers_.mtr42c99bck443c1@u.box.com

Deadline: March 24th 2024 at 11:59pm

 

Previous Recipients for the William C. Powers Award

  • 2018-2019 Lorrie Madely Maldonado
  • 2019-2020 Joshua Tadeo
  • 2020-2021 Adrienne Hunter

Previous Recipients for the Cynthia Walker Peña Award in Women's and Gender Studies

  • 2017-2018    Khamsin L. Meadows
  • 2016-2017    Jeanette Celine Pacheco
  • 2015-2016    Marilyn Nicole Adams
  • 2014-2015    Katelyn "Katie" Burran
  • 2014-2015    Andy Escobar
  • 2013-2014    Karen Duke
  • 2012-2013    Rebecca Besaw
  • 2011-2012    Julie Bolanos
  • 2010-2011    Darcy Kues
  • 2009-2010    Jamie Doak
  • 2009-2010    Maggie Cheu
  • 2008-2009    Sara Haji
  • 2006-2007    Katherine Burk
  • 2005-2006    Anya Rous
  • 2000-2001    Mary E. Sylvester
  • 1999-2000    Gina Velasco
  • 1998-1999    Katherine Aldridge
  • 1996-1997    Laura Helton

Previous Recipients for the Lora Romero Memorial Award for Interdisciplinary Research in Race, Ethnicity and Gender

  • 2017-2018    Zaria El-Fil: Sexual Exploitation and Resistance of Enslaved Women”
  • 2016-2017   William Mosley: Can the ATLien Speak? Gender, Race, and Politics of Performance in Contemporary Hip Hop
  • 2014-2015    Alfred Martin, PhD Student, Radio-Television-Film:  Scripting Black Gayness: Television
  • Authorship in Black-Cast Sitcoms
  • 2013-2014    Oluwakanyinsola ("Kanyinsola") Oluwademilade  Obayan: State Violence, Radical Protest and the black/African Female Body
  • 2012-2013    Brandon Robinson, PhD Student, Sociology: 'The Beauty of Online Dating’: Quotidian
  • Practices of Sexual Racism on a Gay Dating Site
  • 2011-2012    Wanjira Wurimi: The Construction of "Disposable" in the Disposable Woma
  • 2010-2011    Ganiva Reyes: "It's not because I wanted it...I knew I wasn't ready": Young Mothering Teens in the Borderlands Speak Out About the Pressures of Sex, Love and Relationships
  • 2009-2010    Harmony Eichsteadt: The (re)Production of Slaves: Why Our Economy Depends on theIncarceration of Pregnant Black Women
  • 2008-2009    Jennifer Karas Montez: Race and Ethnic Differences in Health Insurance Coverage Among
  • Women: The Intersecting Roles of Employment, Marriage and Motherhood
  • 2008-2009    Anna Stewart Kerr: Revising “Harriet Jacobs"
  • 2006-2007    Nicki Alam: The Impact of International Justice Mechanism on Ethnic Conflict in Northern
  • Uganda
  • 2006-2007    Reena Patel: Working the Night Shift: Gender and the Global Economy
  • 2005-2006    Scottie Buehler: Contraception and Identity Construction: Family Planning Policy in Egypt
  • 2002-2003    Yolanda Escobar-Rodriguez:  Race, Resistance, and Urban Politics from a Cinema
  • Perspective
  • 2001-2002    Geeti Mahajan: Iran 2001
  • 2000-2001    Jen'nan Ghazal Read: Coming to America: Ethnicity, Culture, and Labor Force Participation among Arab-American Women
  • 1999-2000    Daniela Bwyer

Other Scholarship Sources

Here are a few resources to browse every semester for scholarships:

The College of Liberal Arts Scholarship Page, Texas Exes, Global Assist, Liberal Arts Honors, Office of Student Financial Services, Texas Scholarships, Departmental Scholarships, more from the UT Financial Aid Office, Scholarship Search Engines, and the UT Provost Undergraduate Awards. 

Don't forget to apply to federal financial aid via the FAFSA to see if you are eligible for any need-based aid or grants.

 

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