Diversity Scholarship Committee Annual Report 2022

submitted by Ellen Ogihara

Current Roster

  • Ellen Ogihara, chair (2020-2023)
  • Hang Nguyen, member (2021-2024)
  • Enrique “Ricky” Caboverde, member (2022-2025)

List of Previous Goals and Progress Made

  1. Ensure that the call for scholarship applications goes out in June, 2022.
    • Done!
  2. Reconsider the number of letters of recommendation required for the Diversity Scholarship.
    • Done. We will not be changing the number of rec letters, but revisiting and modifying other areas of the application process. We will work on implementing our ideas this academic year.
  3. Select new members, distribute award announcement, evaluate and select recipients.
    • Done!

In addition, I also created documentation for our committee so that future members (and inevitably chairs) will have the information they need to fulfill their duties.

List of Future Goals

  1. Update application language to clarify recommendation letter requirements to be more inclusive.
    • (Objective 3.4: Reflect DEIA principles in MLA’s leadership, membership, core values, mission, strategies and operations)
  2. Update application language to explicitly allow part-time students to apply.
    • (Objective 3.4: Reflect DEIA principles in MLA’s leadership, membership, core values, mission, strategies and operations)
  3. Continue to add to new documentation for future committee members and chairs, to ensure better onboarding of future members.
    • (Objective 4.3: Develop and/or formalize on-boarding, including DEIA efforts, for new members, new committee members, and committee chairs)
  4. Implement strategies to better support and mentor awardees.
    • (Objective 3.7: Enhance outreach efforts to members of underrepresented groups, Goal 2.2: Offer mentorship and networking opportunities)
  5. Review and potentially update committee appointment process.
    • (Objective 3.3: Review appointment processes for MLA positions)