Scholarships

The JHBC Office of Academic Equity (OAE) ShEconomy Award recognizes a student who has attended the JHBC ShEconomy event in person and has been selected by the JHBC OAE Advocates based on the quality of their essay, as outlined below. Three Advocates will review and rank all submitted essays to determine the recipient(s). Please note that the number of recipients and award amount will vary annually based on the number of applications and available funding.

Submission Timeline: The next submission cycle will open after the JHBC ShEconomy event held each October.

Eligibility

Eligible students must be enrolled as full-time students with a declared major and/or minor within the JHBC College and must be in good academic standing for the the current academic year. Students on academic probation are ineligible for this award. Additionally, previous recipients of any JHBC OAE Awards are not eligible to apply.

Students will be notified of their application status within three weeks after the application deadline.

Essay

In an essay of 500-700 words, please reflect on the JHBC OAE ShEconomy event. While there are no specific formatting requirements, please address the following points:

• What insights did you gain from the ShEconomy event about the importance of self-advocacy and personal branding in the digital era?
• How did the discussions on closing the gender gap and advancing DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging) initiatives resonate with your own experiences or goals?
• Which panelist’s perspective or story inspired you the most, and how will you apply their advice in your academic or professional journey?

Your essay should be well-organized and clearly written, with a strong introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Good luck!

Please email your essay in both Word and PDF formats to Dr. Francisca Beer at fbeer@csusb.edu. If you need assistance, please visit the Professional Writing Office. Use "JHBC OAE ShEconomy Award" as your email subject line.

Essay Evaluation Criteria

The essay will be reviewed by the JHBC OAE Faculty Advocates based on the following criteria:

• Content (65%)
  • Clearly and concisely demonstrates an understanding of the prompt
  • Addresses the questions above 
  • Contains original thought
  • Includes supporting arguments that demonstrate critical thinking
• Presentation (35%)
  • Quality of writing, including style, clarity, flow, and vocabulary
  • Organization, including structure, paragraphing, introduction, and conclusion
  • Conventions, including syntax, grammar, spelling, and punctuation

Requirements After Receiving an Award

Award recipients agree that upon receiving this award, they will:

• Attend the next JHBC “ShEconomy” event (2-hour event) 
• Attend one other JHBC OAE Event (1 hour per event) 
• Authorize the JHBC OAE to publish their essay, proposal, or excerpts, along with their picture, on the JHBC OAE office website
• Submit a quote on the importance of academic equity and authorize the JHBC OAE to publish the quote with their picture on the website

The JHBC Office of Academic Equity (OAE) Social Justice Award recognizes a student who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and social justice within the campus community or beyond and has been selected by the JHBC OAE Advocates based on the quality of their essay, as outlined below. Three Advocates will review and rank all submitted essays to determine the recipient(s). Please note that the number of recipients and award amount will vary annually based on the number of applications and available funding.

Submission Timeline: The review process for this year’s submissions is now in progress.  The next submission cycle will open in May 2026.

Eligibility

Eligible students must be enrolled as full-time students with a declared major and/or minor within the JHBC College and must be in good academic standing for the the current academic year. Students on academic probation are ineligible for this award. Additionally, previous recipients of any JHBC OAE Awards are not eligible to apply.

Students will be notified of their application status within three weeks after the application deadline.

Essay

In an essay of 500-700 words please reflect on your experiences with social justice and how they have helped advance DEI initiatives. While there are no specific formatting requirements, please address at least three of the following points:

• What the social justice framework means to you and how it has shaped your understanding of DEI.
• A specific example of your engagement in social justice work—what you did and what resulted.
• How social justice work can address marginalization and injustice.
• Your future goals related to social justice and DEI-B (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging) work.

Your essay should be well-organized and clearly written, with a strong introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Good luck!

Please email your essay in both Word and PDF formats to Dr. Francisca Beer at fbeer@csusb.edu using the subject line: JHBC OAE Social Justice.  

If selected, the recipient will receive a monetary award.  The recipient is also expected to attend two JHBC events and authorize the JHBC OAE to publish their photo and excerpts from their essay.

Essay Evaluation Criteria

The essay will be reviewed by the JHBC OAE Faculty Advocates based on the following criteria:

• Content (65%)
  • Clearly and concisely demonstrates an understanding of the prompt
  • Addresses the questions above 
  • Contains original thought
  • Includes supporting arguments that demonstrate critical thinking
• Presentation (35%)
  • Quality of writing, including style, clarity, flow, and vocabulary
  • Organization, including structure, paragraphing, introduction, and conclusion
  • Conventions, including syntax, grammar, spelling, and punctuation

Requirements After Receiving an Award

• Award recipients agree that upon receiving this award, they will:
• Attend the next JHBC “ShEconomy” event (2-hour event) 
• Attend one other JHBC OAE Event (1 hour per event) 
• Authorize the JHBC OAE to publish their essay, proposal, or excerpts, along with their picture, on the JHBC OAE office website
• Submit a quote on the importance of academic equity and authorize the JHBC OAE to publish the quote with their picture on the website

The Office of Academic Equity at the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration is pleased to announce Carolina Carlos as the recipient of the 2024 Student Opportunity Fund: Social Justice award, a prestigious $500 cash prize honoring her outstanding dedication to social justice causes.

Dr. Kimberly Collins, a Professor of Public Administration and Director of the William and Barbara Leonard Transportation Center at CSUSB, nominated Carlos for this award. Her submission underwent a rigorous review by the Advocates committee, who unanimously agreed on her deserving recognition.

Applicants were tasked with submitting essays detailing their contributions to social justice. Carlos’s essay highlighted her pivotal role in the Student Research Challenge, where she served as a co-investigator, facilitating seamless communication between the Executive Director and the research team. Her efforts included securing IRB approval, overseeing survey dissemination, and fostering collaboration among peers from UCR and Cal Poly Pomona. Their collective work provided valuable insights into addressing housing affordability and commuting challenges, advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the local community.

Carlos’s contributions were acknowledged at the 1st Colorado River Board-SEED symposium, and she has been selected to represent her team at the Southern California Association of Governments 2024 Student Showcase. In June, she will present their findings at the ASCE International Conference on Transportation and Development in Atlanta.

In Carlos’s words, "Through collaborative action and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we can work together to build a more just and equitable society where every individual has the opportunity to thrive."

ABOUT THE OAE STUDENT OPPORTUNITY FUND:

The OAE Student Opportunity Fund aims to provide financial assistance and recognition to students who have demonstrated a strong commitment to academic excellence, equity, and social justice. Through this fund, deserving students like Carolina Carlos are empowered to pursue their educational goals and make a meaningful impact in their communities. The JHBC OAE is proud to support their endeavors and celebrate their achievements.

If you have any further questions or would like additional information about the OAE Student Opportunity Fund, please visit https://www.csusb.edu/academic-equity/ and do not hesitate to reach out to our office.

The Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration’s Office of Academic Equity is delighted to announce Marta Barreto, an MBA student, as the recipient of the 2023 Student Opportunity Fund: Social Justice award. This $500 prestigious cash award honor recognizes Barreto's exceptional dedication and commitment to social justice issues. 

Barreto was nominated for this award by Dr. Breena Coates, a management professor emerita at CSUSB and a key figure responsible for PRME (Principles for Responsible Management Education).  Barreto submitted her essay that went through a thorough review by the Advocates committee.  The Advocates committee members unanimously agreed that Barreto deserves this award.

As an MBA student at CSUSB, Barreto has demonstrated an unwavering determination to overcome obstacles and achieve success. In her own words, she describes herself as someone who has, "scaled the walls of success through determination and a sheer willingness to overcome my shortcomings." Barreto is deeply committed to empowering individuals and fostering thriving communities. It is this dedication that has earned her the Student Opportunity Fund: Social Justice award. Her life's mission is to advocate for the voiceless and highlight the value of seeing others through a different lens, leading them to a place of belonging and success.

When asked to define Academic Equity, Barreto expressed that it is a gateway to endless opportunities and knowledge, "a beacon of hope that can dispel the shadows of uncertainty and bridge the gaps of impoverishment and pain”. She firmly believes that everyone should have equal access to this gateway, free from prejudice or financial barriers. Barreto recognizes that the knowledge gained through academic equity leads to success, far outweighing the challenges she has faced. To her, Academic Equity represents the key to confidence, stability, and hope.

The Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration’s Office of Academic Equity is proud to recognize Hau Luu as the 2021–2022 Student Opportunity Fund award recipient. An exceptional undergraduate student majoring in Administration with concentrations in International Business and Finance, Luu has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI-B). This prestigious award honors his efforts to create a more inclusive academic and professional environment.

In his compelling essay, Luu explores the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ leaders in the corporate world, noting the added pressure they often feel to prove themselves. “This responsibility seems heavier for LGBTQ+ leaders,” he writes, “to become the ones who most influence other members to come out and believe in their true self.” He highlights the power of representation and the importance of leadership in fostering authenticity. Luu concludes with a quote from Bailinson: “Leaders have a duty to try to change the world so that everyone can live their life in full color.”

Luu’s message calls for unity and shared responsibility. As he powerfully affirms, “Everyone should work together to create a world of equality and diversity for all to live happily together.” His work is a testament to the role each of us can play in building a more just and inclusive society.

Melis Yurdakul has been named one of two recipients of the prestigious award from the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration’s Office of Academic Equity. This recognition was granted to students who submitted outstanding reflections on their experiences at the ShEconomy event—a program focused on women in business, leadership, and economic empowerment.

Melis’s essay stood out for its depth, clarity, and personal insight. She thoughtfully highlighted the key messages shared by ShEconomy speakers, reflecting on how their stories of perseverance and success deeply resonated with her. Dr. Francisca Beer, Director of the Office of Academic Equity, praised the essay, saying, “Her essay powerfully conveys the inspiration she derived from the ShEconomy, effectively reflecting on how the discussions not only impacted her but also how she intends to apply these insights to inspire and influence others. Her focus on resilience and celebrating achievements, regardless of their size, is truly commendable.”

Through her writing, Melis demonstrated a strong understanding of the importance of resilience and the power of representation, embodying the very values that the ShEconomy and the Office of Academic Equity aim to promote.

Celestine Nwangwu has been selected as one of two recipients of the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration’s Office of Academic Equity award, recognizing students who submitted outstanding essays reflecting on their experience at the ShEconomy event. His essay demonstrated both critical insight and a strong grasp of the event’s key themes surrounding leadership, empowerment, and professional growth.

Dr. Francisca Beer, Director of the Office of Academic Equity, commended Nwangwu’s work, stating, “His inclusion of Christine Glass’s advice on 'interviewing employers' is particularly noteworthy. It’s this unique insight that enriches his essay. Also, his essay is well-supported by relevant statistics.” Nwangwu’s ability to integrate speaker insights with data not only strengthened his analysis but also underscored the practical value of the lessons he drew from the event.

Through his thoughtful reflection, Celestine showcased a forward-thinking approach to career development and equity, embodying the spirit of the ShEconomy and the mission of the Office of Academic Equity.