MLK UNC Student Scholarship
MLK UNC Student Scholarship
This scholarship is for current Carolina juniors only.
The MLK UNC Student Scholarship is awarded annually at the Lecture and Awards Ceremony during the MLK, Jr. Week of Celebration in January. Any junior may apply regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity, national origin or ability. Ideal candidates engage in public and private activities that demonstrate commitment to improving the quality of life of the community and campus. Those that apply will be judged on their academic achievements as well as their passion for civil/human rights.
Application materials will be reviewed by a selection committee composed of UNC professional staff and current undergraduate and graduate students. The winners of the scholarship will be selected by this committee.
One first-place winner will receive a $2,000 scholarship and one runner-up will receive a $1500 scholarship.
The 2023 application will be open October 5, 2022 – November 5, 2022.
Apply here: go.unc.edu/MLKUNC2023
Meet the 2022 Finalists:
Sherrod Crum
Sherrod Crum is studying Business Administration and Entrepreneurship. He currently serves as the President of the Black Entrepreneurship Initiative here at UNC and is also the Executive Assistant of the UNC NAACP. Sherrod is also a Career Path counselor for University Career Services and is the Chief Executive Officer for the nonprofit organization Mission: Scholarship, Inc.
Additionally, Sherrod is a proud member of the Black Student Movement and the Culinary Medicine Club. Crum has received numerous awards and has been recognized during his time on campus. These include but are not limited to: the Harvey Beech Scholarship, the Carolina Challenge Award, the Kenan Biddle Partnership Award, and his selection as an Eship Scholar, a Kenan Scholar, and an Accenture Student Leadership Fellow. He is also affiliated with Honors Carolina.
Rhea Bhagia
Rhea Bhagia is studying Business Administration as well as Statistics and Analytics. Bhagia is proud to be an Indian American pupil here at UNC and a member of UNC Sangam. Through her involvement, they have been able to increase the awareness of South Asian culture around campus by planning numerous events. Rhea has further spread awareness about their culture organizing the logistics for two national South Asian dance competitions where the proceeds benefit nonprofits in rural India and she assists with raising money for the Mahatma Gandhi Fellowship. Furthermore, she competes with UNC Chalkaa, which is a collegiate Bollywood dance team.
Rhea possesses a passion for nonprofit work and is involved with various organizations and community service efforts. Some of her interests include Meals on Wheels in Durham, NC, Paws4Ever, which is a local dog/cat adoption center, and she has volunteered at homeless shelters, gardens, Carolina COVID Student Service Corps, and she has worked with Make-A-Wish kids. Rhea is a Gene Clark Memorial Scholar, an Honors Carolina Ambassador, a Girls Who Invest Scholar and has completed over 300 hours of community service through being a Hungary Buckley Public Service Scholar.
Jorren Biggs
Jorren Biggs is pursuing his degree by way of studying African American Diaspora Studies and Political Science. Currently, Mr. Biggs serves as the treasurer for the Black Student Movement and is a volunteer for the Stone Center’s Communiversity Youth Program. He is also a virtual prison writing coach for the Friday Center’s Prison Outreach Program. On top of this commendable service, Jorren is also a member of the inaugural cohort of SLATE in the Institute for African American Research. He continues his community involvement, external of UNC, by serving as a consultant and Board Member to the National Juvenile Network, which is a non-profit organization, based in Washington, D.C. that strives to transform the juvenile justice system.
Jorren is recognized as a Joseph E. Pogue Scholar, a Light on the Hill Scholar, and he made the Dean’s List in the Fall of 2019. In addition to these accomplishments, he was acknowledged in 2020 as National Juvenile Justice Network Youth Leader of the Year and in 2019, he received the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People Ralph B. Hunt Youth Award.
