The Proctor Institute launches Call for Applications for its Second LEADD Cohort!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Natalie Passov | natalie.passov@gse.rutgers.edu | 848-932-0728
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., April 4, 2023 - The Samuel Dewitt Proctor Institute for Leadership, Equity, and Justice (Proctor Institute) opens its call for applications for the second cohort of Latinas Excelling at Doctoral Degrees (LEADD), a program intended to combat cultural and academic isolation of Latina undergraduate students, strengthen their confidence, and encourage their research interests prior to graduate school.
"This path through academia is one that's not always easy to navigate, and the LEADD program builds a strong foundation for these scholars to reach their academic goals," said Marybeth Gasman, the Executive Director of the Proctor Institute and Samuel DeWitt Proctor Endowed Chair at Rutgers University.
The LEADD program will include virtual discussions and workshops on topics such as cultural and academic isolation, cultural values and academic expectations, peer support and mentorship, as well as identity, advocacy, and research design. Each workshop is developed to create dialogue and combat the common challenges Latinas face in the academy.
"The program is special to me because they are committed to making graduate school, the research field, and the professoriate more equitable for young Latinas,” mentioned Genesis Santos, a student at Baylor University and a member of the first LEADD cohort. “We have been empowered to network and take up space in academia because we deserve to be seen, heard, validated, and celebrated.”
In order to be eligible for consideration, the applicant must be an undergraduate student enrolled at an accredited 2-year or 4-year institution within any academic field. Applicants should be able to share how their work contributes to increasing the representation of Latinas and women of color in the professoriate. Additionally, applicants should aspire to become a professor.
LEADD will be hosted virtually by the Proctor Institute in an effort to encourage attendance and minimize financial burden, there are no program fees.
"Reaching underrepresented groups in academia is incredibly important. People don't realize how much of an impact connecting with other students of similar backgrounds and community building is when empowering students," shared Gisselle Criollo, Programs and Marketing Coordinator at the Proctor Institute.
The Proctor Institute will be hosting two informational sessions about the program. The session will host previous LEADD. scholars and the curator of the program and Proctor Institute Visiting Scholar, Bianca Neal. The first session will be on Thursday, April 6th. Register for the session here.
Future updates about the LEADD program will be announced on https://proctor.gse.rutgers.edu/leadd.
Apply to LEADD here!
