Scholarships – Graduate
Mission
Promotes the FWA’s mission of advancing professionalism and developing future leaders by supporting graduate business education for women at four NYC-metro schools: MBA candidates at Baruch, Columbia, Fordham, and Stern (NYU); and an MIA candidate specializing in Microfinance at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). Scholars are selected by the schools according to the FWA criterion of academic achievement and demonstrated leadership predictive of continued involvement in the FWA.
Program History
Since the program’s start in 1983, FWA Graduate Scholarships totaling $600,000 have assisted 142 women in completing business degrees at the graduate level.
As of the academic year 2010-2011, the FWA has doubled the awards to $10,000 per scholarship. To increase the pool of potential recipients for the increased awards, the awards are now merit-based, instead of restricted to students applying for financial aid.
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Introducing the FWA 2010-11 Scholars
Program Description
The primary activity of the committee, in addition to making FWA resources available to the Graduate Scholars, is to enhance the FWA presence at the scholarship schools by providing speakers for campus events. There are no regular meetings; instead, committee members commit to specific schools or events. Committee members who are alumnae of scholarship schools serve as Liaisons and are the point people for providing FWA speakers for campus events. Other committee members are responsible for the annual fall Welcome Reception for scholars hosted by a President’s Circle firm.
Program Events
The number of events varies according to requests from schools. In addition to its responsibility for the annual Fall Scholars’ Welcome Reception, the committee is involved with the Women in Business annual conferences at Columbia, NYU – Stern, and Fordham, provides experts in various financial specialties for the Career Services office at Columbia SIPA, and is involved with programs for Stern alumnae.
Message from the Committee Chair
The Graduate Scholarship Committee is a high-visibility FWA program offering immense benefits from a limited time commitment focusing on a school or event of your choice. The opportunities for contact with the five Scholars and the officers of the Women in Business and other campus organizations lead to enduring, mutually rewarding relationships with talented young professionals, many of whom become FWA members. Through informal alliances with other FWA committees like Emerging Leaders and Microfinance, the Committee both continues the success of a longstanding FWA program and is part of programming by the FWA as a whole.
Susan K. Becker, Committee Chair
Members: How you can volunteer/help
Respond to calls for alumnae Liaisons, which are posted in FWA communications. If you’re interested in the FWA Graduate Scholarship program but are not an alumna (undergraduate as well as graduate) of a school offering one, indicate your interest when paying your dues, and the Chair will follow up. We always welcome help!
Help in recruiting new members by enhancing campus awareness of the FWA through your participation as a speaker or panelist in campus events: Take the Committee’s call when we’re asked to recruit FWA members to share particular experience or expertise. The FWA membership has been extremely generous in this, to the mutual benefit of students and FWA programming committees.
Highlights from recent events
The 2009 Welcome Reception, hosted by President’s Circle company Thomson Reuters, was a warm, informal opportunity for current and past Scholars to talk with Thomson recruiters; with Committee members and FWA members associated with the Program as Liaisons or speakers at campus events; and with the current, past and incoming FWA Presidents. The Committee’s most recent involvement in a campus event was to providing speakers for three diverse panels at the 2010 Columbia Women in Business Conference, including the inaugural panels on economic development and on entrepreneurship.
Success Story
The tag line of the 25th Anniversary of the Graduate Scholarship Program in 2008 is still true: “The FWA Celebrates 25 Years of Investment in Graduate Business Education for Women…still going strong!” The program funds graduate study in business for a diverse group of very talented young women at a range of graduate business programs in the NYC metropolitan area. The testimonials below are merely representative of numerous success stories for all involved.
Views from Committee Members
“In addition to working with the Stern Women in Business (SWIB)’s highly successful Annual Conference, we are now working with the newly formed SWIB Alumnae committee, which brings together graduate and undergraduate alumnae for programs benefiting them, where we will promote the FWA on an ongoing basis.”
Mary Tanaskovic Bitting, Retired Vice President · The Bank of New York, NYU – Stern Liaison
“This year’s Columbia Women in Business (CWIB) conference again included several FWA-member panelists whom the Scholarship Committee introduced to the conference planners. The committee’s introductions resulted in dual benefits: the conference was enriched with top experts in their fields, and the FWA’s talented membership was showcased in this sold-out event. The conference ‘goodie’ bag also included the FWA pamphlet.”
Ellen D. Walsh, SVP Merrill Lynch; and Vivian K. Holzer, Pres. Holzer & Co., Inc: Columbia Business School Co-Liaisons
Views from the FWA Graduate Scholars
“…This scholarship is not only a financial support…it is much more than that. It is an encouragement to dream big, to follow my intuition and instincts, to believe in my success…It is a blessing and inspiration similar to that I once received from my parents…in Kazakhstan.”
From a letter from Vera G. Nazarova, 2009-2010 FWA Graduate Scholar at Baruch, who immigrated to the US roughly three years ago.
“I enjoyed meeting the rest of the scholars and interacting with the other FWA members. I can see the immense value of being an FWA scholar and will certainly endeavor to make the most of this opportunity.”
From Manisha Kathuria, 2009-2010 FWA Graduate Scholar at Columbia Business School, after the Welcome Reception hosted by Thomson Reuters.
“The FWA graduate scholarship has made a significant and lasting impact on my professional development. The award has inspired me to always be my personal best.”
From Helen Bord, 2008-2009 FWA Graduate Scholar at Fordham and current member of the FWA and the Graduate Scholarship Committee.
Want more information about the program?
Contact Ilene Moskowitz ilene.moskowitz@gmail.comNote: The committee is not involved in selecting scholars. For information about applying for FWA Graduate Scholarships, please see the FWA site www.fwa.org/community/awards.html.
