Scholarships

SoACE is offering two scholarships to support the professional development of our members:

  • Professional Development Scholarship
    One scholarship of up to $2,000 to be used toward a professional development program, event, certification, or related resource of your choice.

  • Employer Relations Summit Scholarship
    One scholarship of up to $1,500 to be used toward attendance at the SoACE Employer Relations Summit.

Application Deadline: February 22, 2026

2026 Professional Development Scholarship Application

Eligibility & Qualifications:

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Career Services Professional – Active employment within a college or university career services or experiential education center within the SoACE region.
  • Employers – Active employment with an employer in the field of HR located within the SoACE region (those with college recruiting responsibilities will be given preference).
  • Membership in SoACE - Current SoACE Member at the time of application.
Preference will be given to professionals with:
  • Have two or more years of full-time experience in career services, recruiting, or a related field and who have been given, or who aspire to, a managerial role;
  • Whose office has not received a SoACE Professional Development Scholarship or SoACE Fellowship within the past two years;
  • Demonstrate financial need;
  • Demonstrate involvement in an –ACE organization (SoACE, NACE, or a state ACE association);
  • Submit a complete application and all required materials by the deadline.

Application Requirements:

Applicants will be asked to provide the following information as part of the online application:

  • Scholarship selection
    (Professional Development Scholarship or Employer Relations Summit Scholarship)

  • Program or opportunity details
    Name and brief description of the program, event, certification, or resource, including location and dates (if applicable)

  • Itemized cost breakdown
    Estimated expenses related to the program or opportunity

  • Program format
    Virtual or in-person

  • Statement of interest
    A brief explanation of why you are applying for the scholarship and how it supports your professional goals

  • Impact statement
    How receiving this scholarship will benefit your school, department, organization, and/or SoACE

  • Financial need statement
    A brief description of your financial need (e.g., limited institutional funding, budget constraints)

  • Professional involvement
    A summary of your involvement with SoACE and/or other –ACE organizations (NACE or state ACE associations)

  • Additional information (optional)
    Any unique circumstances, achievements, or information the committee should consider

  • Résumé upload

Scholarship History

  • 2025 -- Lauren DeHaan, UNC Asheville
  • 2025 -- Lauren Searway, Southern Methodist University
  • 2024 -- Michelle Simmons, Old Dominion University Research Foundation
  • 2024 -- Katie Krikorian, Loyola University New Orleans
  • 2024 -- Sheniquia Haynes, University of Oklahoma
  • 2024 -- Kylia Stewart, Arkansas Tech University
  • 2023 -- Katie Mantooth, University of Tennessee at Martin
  • 2023 -- Emily Kelly, Southwestern University
  • 2023 -- Christy Mantzanas, Florida State University
  • 2022 -- Emily Kelly, Southwestern University
  • 2022 -- Katie Mantooth, University of Tennessee at Martin
  • 2022 -- Christy Mantzanas, Florida State University
  • 2021 -- Doris Alcivar, University of Central Florida
  • 2021 -- Karen Johnson, Tulsa Tech
  • 2021 -- Dylan Tedder, Arkansas State University
  • 2020 -- Megan Simpson, Austin Peay State University
  • 2020 -- Cheryl Hicks, Wake Forest University
  • 2020 -- Mason Murphy, Texas State University
  • 2019 --  Katie Ramirez, Trinity University
  • 2019 -- Ashley Rizzotto, Florida International University
  • 2019 -- Angel Iverson, University of Florida
  • 2019 -- Marisol Zacarias, Agnes Scott College
  • 2018 -- Dia Buchanan, Belmont University
  • 2018 -- Elizabeth Enck, University of Central Oklahoma
  • 2017 -- Valerie Kielmovitch Mandel, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • 2017 -- Donna Srader, Texas Tech University
  • 2017 -- Stacy Shields, University of Houston - Clear Lake
  • 2016 -- Tara Stevenson, Flagler College
  • 2016 -- Kathy Creel, Middle Tennessee State University
  • 2015 -- Jill Boatright, Loyola University New Orleans
  • 2015 -- Kenetta Pierce, Columbia College
  • 2014 -- Mary Mahoney, University of Tennessee
  • 2014 -- Ann Reynolds, Mounted Security Patrol
  • 2014 -- Tiffany Waddell, Wake Forest University
  • 2013 -- Heather Reece
  • 2013 -- Shereada Harrell, The University of Texas at Dallas
  • 2012 -- Charlie Wilder,  Mississippi State University
  • 2011 -- Michelle Jones, Elon University; Monica Choi, University of Texas at Austin
  • 2009 -- Mary Mahoney, University of Tennessee
  • 2008 -- Karen Jubert, University of Houston

Questions? Contact the SoACE Office ([email protected])