The Standiford Fellowship was established to provide students interested in careers in creative writing or journalism an opportunity to work on a project or participate in an unpaid internship that is focused on uplifting the marginalized voices from underrepresented, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ communities.
Open to students of all majors, races, ethnicities, and identities, the fundamental objective of the fellowship is support students to embark on a writing project or internship that seeks to include and elevate marginalized voices to increase awareness of social issues and eradicate racial and social disparities.
Eligibility Criteria
- Open to all Whittier College students of any class standing.
- Open to students of any major or academic program.
- A minimum 2.8 GPA.
Selection Criteria
- The ability to conduct and complete a creative writing or journalism project or participate in an unpaid internship that is in line with the fellowship’s objective.
- Have a demonstrated commitment to uplifting marginalized voices and communities.
Program Benefits
- $6,000 summer stipend to conduct and complete the project.
- $1,000 academic stipend to pay down tuition or student loans upon the completion and submission of the fellowship project and exit surveys.
- $500 award for the fellow’s project Faculty or Staff mentor.
Applying to the Program
The application will be due the first Friday in March. Use this guide to gather your application documents. Please request these items two weeks prior to the fellowship deadline.
A complete application consists of:
- Unofficial academic transcripts
- A Course Progress Report for each course (3-4 courses only) you are currently enrolled in.
- Signed Student Contract
- Signed Mentor Agreement
- A written recommendation letter from the faculty or staff member that will serve as your mentor through this project. This person should have the expertise to help guide you through your proposed project or internship.
- A reference contact from someone outside of the applicant’s major and project’s topic of focus. This can be a faculty member or when applicable to the project a personal reference (e.g., employer, internship supervisor, volunteer coordinator).
- A 500-word essay explaining why you want this fellowship opportunity, how you will benefit from the fellowship both personally and professionally, your career goals and what personal qualities (skills, attributes, and/or abilities) you possess that will ensure a successful fellowship experience.
- A 1000-word essay outlining the proposed research project or internship experience. This should articulate 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 timeline for the project during the fellowship period, and identify the venues through which you envision sharing your written project.
Standiford Fellowship Advisor
Professor Sylvia Vetrone
svetrone@whittier.edu
