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The Robbie Paul, PhD, Scholarship for Native American Students

Introduction

The Robbie Paul (Nez Perce), PhD, Scholarship for Native American Students was created to honor the legacy and leadership of Dr. Robbie Paul, Director for Native American Health Sciences at WSU Spokane. Dr. Paul founded WSU Native American Health Sciences in 2007 but began youth programs as early as 1995. She taught and contributed to research, student projects, and community tribal health work, and retired in the fall of 2016, following a 22-year career at WSU. The WSU Native American Advisory Board partnered with the WSU Foundation in seeking support from local tribes and individuals to establish the scholarship endowment.

Application Process

To be considered for the scholarship, applicants need to submit written responses to three questions. Items to be included in the application packet:

  • Completed application
  • One recommendation letter that speaks to the applicant’s leadership skills, community involvement, and commitment to health equity. The letter may come from a faculty or staff member or supervisor.
  • Documentation of enrollment in a federally recognized tribe, member of a state-recognized tribe in WA, OR, ID, or MT, or descendant of a federally recognized or state recognized tribe in WA, OR, ID, or MT
  • It is recommended that you provide a list of campus and community volunteer activities. Please note if you held a leadership role

Applications are due October 30, 2023.

Apply Here

Eligibility:

Native American students who can provide documentation of enrollment in a federally recognized tribe, member of a state-recognized tribe in WA, OR, ID, or MT, or descendant of a federally recognized or state recognized tribe in WA, OR, ID, or MT

Undergraduate, graduate, or professional students enrolled in the health sciences, including Pharmacy, Pre-Pharmacy, Medicine, all Pre-Med disciplines (e.g., biochemistry, neuroscience), and/or Nursing. Students may be enrolled at any of the WSU campuses.

Priority may be given to students from tribes who have signed the MOU for creation of the WSU Native America Advisory Board to the President: Nez Perce Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Yakama Indian Nation, Colville Confederated Tribes, Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Kootenai Tribe of Indians, Cowlitz Indian Tribe, Kalispel Tribe of Indians, Spokane Tribe of Indians, Quinault Indian Nation, and any Tribes that join this MOU in the future.

Priority may be given to students from tribes who are founding partners for this scholarship: Chehalis Confederated Tribes, Cowlitz Indian Tribe, Mohegan Tribe, Swinomish Tribe, and Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe.

When needed, the pool of applicants may be refined by prioritizing students with the highest level of unmet financial need.

When needed, the pool of applicants may be further refined by giving first priority to a member of the Nez Perce Tribe.

Selection Process

The WSU Spokane Scholarship Committee will review all applications and select and award the recipients. Applications and applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Completeness of application
  • One Letter of recommendation
  • Documentation of enrollment in a federally recognized tribe, member of a state recognized tribe in WA, OR, ID, or MT, or descendancy of a federally recognized or state recognized tribe in WA, OR, ID, or MT
  • If supplied, a review of a list campus and community volunteer activities
  • Review of priority considerations
  • Plan to enroll in the fall semester
  • Responses to the following three questions (300 word limit).
    • Please describe what influenced your decision to pursue a career as a health professional.
    • How do you intend to serve American Indian/Alaska Native communities in your chosen health profession?
    • Briefly explain your thoughts about health equity and your commitment to health equity as a student and as a professional?

Contributions and commitments are not necessarily demonstrated by quantity of organizations or activities but can be shown by depth of work with a specific organization or activity.

Selection Committee

Consists of faculty and staff from each college on the WSU Spokane campus and campus representatives.

Award

The committee will select one student who will be awarded $1,000 credited to their WSU account. The funds will be credited once students are enrolled in the fall semester and have submitted a required thank you letter. Recipients who do not enroll in the fall semester, forfeit the award and the Scholarship Committee will award the scholarship to a different applicant.

This scholarship may be renewed as long as the student continues to make good progress toward their degree and remains in good standing with the University.

 

Applications are due October 30, 2023

Scholarship recipients are recognized at the VP/Chancellor’s Awards in April. Scholarships will be applied toward Fall 2023 tuition.

If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Carolus.