Javon A. Stovall Memorial Scholarship

The Javon A. Stovall Memorial (JASM) scholarship was established to honor the life and legacy of Javon A. Stovall, a 2020-2021 graduate assistant of FIU’s Pride Center and graduate student in the Master’s in Higher Education program at Florida International University. Javon was a queer and disabled student of color who valued social justice education, leadership development, and scholarship. The JASM scholarship will be awarded annually to one eligible FIU graduate student who carries forward the legacy and values that Javon exemplified during his time at FIU.

The selection committee considers multiple factors when assessing scholarship applicants, including academic performance, leadership skills, financial need, personal goals, character, identity representation, and the applicant’s involvement in the Pride Center and other social justice activities at FIU and in their communities. Each person who applies is evaluated on the criteria listed below as well as the totality of their situation.

Criteria

• Must be a current FIU graduate student who is involved in the LGBTQIA+ community. Students who are also disabled and/or students of color are encouraged to apply for this scholarship.
• Must be actively involved in social justice scholarship and/or activism
• Must submit one 250-500-word essay answering the following question: Tell us about your moral character and values. What informs who you are, how you engage with others, and what you do in support of marginalized communities?
• Must submit one 250-500-word essay answering the following question: What is your current area of research or scholarly work and what are your future plans including how you will utilize your education to improve the lives of others?

Recipient Expectations:

• Meet with Pride Center leadership staff shortly after receiving the award and maintain a connection with the Pride Center leadership staff thereafter.
• Serve as a mentor to at least one student in the Pride Center’s mentorship program (if continuing education at FIU after receipt of the scholarship).
• Serve as a speaker for one event hosted by the Pride Center.
• Be featured in the Pride Center Newsletter and on Social Media sites as the JASM Scholarship recipient
• Submit a 30-45 second video discussing what receiving the scholarship means to you to be shared privately with the scholarship funders.