Inclusive Excellence Scholarship

About the Program

The Inclusive Excellence Scholarship Program, formally known as the “Multicultural Leadership Scholarship Program” and "Inclusive Excellence Leadership Scholarship Program" is a curricular experience where scholars and award recipients participate in the exploration of identity and self through critical classroom discourse as well as co-curricular engagement in programs and community service opportunities sponsored by Multicultural Programs and offices housed in the Multicultural Services unit. Scholars and award recipients will have the distinct opportunity to explore their multiple identities, celebrate their personal heritage, learn about and appreciate the cultures and identities of others. Students in the program are highly encouraged to take advantage of the resources in our spaces, which provide computer labs, free printing, lounge space for studying, and kitchen area. These spaces are the Mary Jean Price Walls Multicultural Resource Center, which also houses the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer+ Student Services located on the first floor of the Plaster Student Union.

Multicultural Services is a unit in the Division of Student Affairs, which houses the offices of Multicultural Programs, Access & Success Programs, Bears L.E.A.D., and TRIO Programs. As a scholar and or award recipient, you will have the opportunity to learn about the vast resources in these offices as well potentially being eligible to utilize available services. Recipients of the scholarship and award will work directly with the Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs, Multicultural Services.

Scholarship Requirements

As a Public Affairs institution that values Ethical Leadership, Cultural Competence, and Community Engagement through the practice of inclusion, we view this scholarship program as the vessel that develops student leaders to serve as social change agents that advocate and support a culturally conscious and inclusive campus community. Multicultural Services looks forward to your participation in the Inclusive Excellence Scholarship/Award Program as well the perspectives you will bring to our campus and community.

Scholar's Guide

Inclusive Excellence Scholarship

$4,000 per year. Total potential value over four years: $16,000. Non-Missouri residents will also receive a full waiver of out-of-state tuition.

Inclusive Excellence Leadership Scholarship

$5,000 per year. Total potential value over four years: $20,000. Non-Missouri residents will also receive a full waiver of non-resident fees for all fall and spring semesters.

Multicultural Leadership Scholarship (includes Dr. Donald Suggs & Mr. James Bufford)

$5,000 per year. Total potential value over four years: $20,000. Non-Missouri residents will also receive a full waiver of non-resident fees for all fall and spring semesters.

Multicultural Leadership Recognition Award

Up to $2,000 per year. Recipients who are non-Missouri residents will also receive a full waiver of out-of-state fees for all fall and spring semesters.

Renewal Criteria

The Inclusive Excellence, Inclusive Excellence Leadership, and Inclusive Excellence Recognition Award must complete 27 Missouri State University credit hours each academic year with a 2.75 cumulative Missouri State grade point average and participate in all additional requirements in the Inclusive Excellence Leadership Program.

Multicultural Leadership Scholars and Multicultural Leadership Recognition Awardees must complete 24 credit hours at Missouri State University each academic year with a 2.75 cumulative Missouri State grade point average and participate in all additional requirements in the Inclusive Excellence Leadership Program.

Inclusive Excellence Leadership Scholarship/Multicultural Leadership Scholarship recipients who graduate in four years or less, meet renewal criteria their fourth year, and begin a Missouri State University graduate program the semester following their graduation may receive this scholarship for their first year of graduate study (unless they are offered and accept a graduate assistantship).

Students in the Military and/or Studying Abroad

For all students with scholarships, including Inclusive Excellence, you can request to place your scholarship on hold for the semester that you plan to be away. Those requests are turned into the Financial Aid office via an online process. In this situation, your scholarship will not pay out and will pick back up when you return. For activities, you do not need to complete any because everything is on hold. For grades and GPA, your renewal cycle changes to "off-cycle". 

For study away, most students are still enrolled full-time. That being the case, you may still use the scholarship and are required to meet all criteria, including program requirements.  However, the study away experience is enough to meet the programming component.  You will be required to provide an essay, to the program Director, outlining the experience and how it applies to inclusive excellence, diversity and inclusion.  If you are not enrolled, or are enrolled less than full-time, you will need to go through the request process to place the scholarship on hold.

When away for military, students should request to place their scholarship on hold.

Application Process

More information about the application process can be found on the Missouri State University Office of Financial Aid's website.

Requirements/Service Hours

Having trouble completing all your services hours or finding opportunities?  Go here to find more opportunities.

Contact

Questions about the program? Email IES@MissouriState.edu.