Ahmanson Veteran Fellowship 

With the support of the Ahmanson Family Foundation, Whittier College has established the Ahmanson Veterans Fellowship, which is dedicated to increasing professional development opportunities for student veterans who served in the United States military.

The fellowship offers two additional fellowship pathways for students to choose from. In collaboration with the Career Center, these two pathways will focus on career preparation and provide student veterans with a training curriculum specifically designed to prepare them for a successful return to the civilian workforce.

Choose one of three Pathways

  • An opportunity for student veterans to engage in a substantive undergraduate research project with a faculty mentor for a semester, an academic year, or a summer term.
  • The research or community project should inform a scholarly presentation. Previous experience with research is encouraged, but not required.

Benefits of Research Pathway

  • Working alongside one of Whittier College’s esteemed faculty to engage in research.
  • A stipend of $3,000 for project activities (to be paid over the academic year or summer period)

An opportunity to attend the Student Veteran Association Convention at no cost to connect with potential employers and fellow student veterans.

Benefits of the SVA National Convention Attendance Pathway

  • Career preparation and professional development training through the Career Center.
  • A fully paid trip to attend the Annual Student Veterans Association National Conference, where students can network with potential employers and other veteran organizations.

  • Monetary award to support student veterans who take on an unpaid internship that prepares them for their desired career path.
  • The applicant must have the unpaid internship secured prior to applying for the fellowship.

Benefits of the Internship Grant Pathway

  • Career preparation and professional development training through the Career Center.
  • An award of $3,000 to complete an unpaid internship. 

Eligibility Criteria for the Ahmanson Veteran Fellowships

  • Open to students of any major or program
  • Sophomore, Junior, or Senior standing
  • A U.S. Military Veteran
  • A minimum 3.0 GPA

Selection Criteria

  • Demonstrate academic ability
  • The ability to conduct and complete the proposed pathway
  • A strong fit with students’ academic and career goals

Due Dates

  • Research Pathway: the second Friday in March
  • SVA National Conference Attendance Pathway: the first Friday in October
  • Internship Grant Pathway: Submit at any time

Additional Application Documents (see application for specific instructions)

Use this guide to gather your application documents. Request these items two weeks prior to the deadline.

  • Complete the appropriate application
  • Unofficial academic transcripts (a PDF of your Degree Works)
  • Current semester Course Progress Reports for each 3-4 credit course you are enrolled in.
  • Student Contract
  • Signed Mentor Agreement
  • Signed Internship Agreement
  • Proof of military service (i.e., DD214) if not currently using VA Education benefits
  • A 500-word essay explaining why you want this fellowship opportunity, how you will benefit from the fellowship both personally and professionally, and what personal qualities (skills, attributes, and/or abilities) you possess that will ensure a successful fellowship experience. 
  • Research Pathway essay: A 1000-word essay indicating the primary objective of your project, discuss why is it important, explain the methodology(ies)/ approach(es) that will be used to accomplish your objective, present a time line for the project during the fellowship period, and identify the end result(s) of your project (e.g., a public presentation at URSCA or other conference, a paper, art work, play, etc.). 
  • Selected semi-finalists may be interviewed. 

Fellowship Advisor

Mariacristina Navaja, MSW

US Navy Veteran and Director of Veteran Services 
mnavaja@whittier.edu
Office: 562.907.4234
Cell: 562.646.7577

Past Fellows

Ricardo Mendoza '22
Patrick Tsu '21
Raymond Johnston '19
Aaron Mendoza '19
Jeff Lee '18
Fernando Lopez '15
Mauro Munguia '15
Jose Cuevas '15