Scholarships

SoACE offers several scholarship opportunities to help members access professional development, connect with colleagues, and participate in SoACE programs and events. Explore the opportunities below to find the scholarship that best fits your professional goals.

Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarship opportunities open at different times throughout the year. Application information and deadlines will be posted here as each scholarship cycle becomes available.

Professional Development Scholarship

One scholarship of up to $2,000 to support participation in a professional development program, event, certification, or related resource of the recipient's choice.

Applications Closed
The 2026 application cycle has ended. Future application information will be posted here when available.

Employer Relations Summit Scholarship

One scholarship of up to $1,500 to support attendance at the SoACE Employer Relations Summit.

Applications Closed
The 2026 application cycle has ended. Future application information will be posted here when available.

Annual Conference Scholarship

One $2,000 scholarship to support attendance at the SoACE Annual Conference.

Applications Closed
The 2026 application deadline has passed. Future application information will be posted here when available.

Eligibility & Qualifications

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Career Services Professionals – Actively employed within a college or university career services or experiential education center within the SoACE region.
  • Employers – Actively employed with an employer in the field of HR located within the SoACE region. Those with college recruiting responsibilities will be given preference.
  • SoACE Membership – Must be a current SoACE member at the time of application.

Preference will be given to professionals who:

  • Have two or more years of full-time experience in career services, recruiting, or a related field and have been given, or aspire to, a managerial role;
  • Represent an office, institution, or organization that has not received a SoACE scholarship or fellowship within the past two years;
  • Demonstrate financial need;
  • Demonstrate involvement in an ACE organization, including SoACE, NACE, or a state ACE association; and
  • Submit a complete application and all required materials by the stated deadline.

Application Requirements

Applicants may be asked to provide the following information as part of the online application. Specific requirements will be included with each scholarship application when the application cycle opens.

Scholarship Selection

The scholarship opportunity for which you are applying.

Program or Opportunity Details

Name and description of the program, event, certification, or resource, including location and dates when applicable.

Itemized Cost Breakdown

Estimated expenses related to the program or opportunity.

Program Format

Whether the opportunity will be attended virtually or in person.

Statement of Interest

Why you are applying and how the opportunity supports your professional goals.

Impact Statement

How the scholarship will benefit your school, department, organization, and/or SoACE.

Financial Need

A brief description of financial need, such as limited institutional funding or budget constraints.

Professional Involvement

A summary of involvement with SoACE and/or other ACE organizations.

Additional Information

Any unique circumstances, achievements, or other information the committee should consider.

Résumé

Applicants should be prepared to upload a current résumé.

Past Scholarship Recipients

SoACE is proud to recognize past recipients of its scholarship programs.

2025
Lauren DeHaan, UNC Asheville
Lauren Searway, Southern Methodist University

2024
Michelle Simmons, Old Dominion University Research Foundation
Katie Krikorian, Loyola University New Orleans
Sheniquia Haynes, University of Oklahoma
Kylia Stewart, Arkansas Tech University

2023
Katie Mantooth, University of Tennessee at Martin
Emily Kelly, Southwestern University
Christy Mantzanas, Florida State University

2022
Emily Kelly, Southwestern University
Katie Mantooth, University of Tennessee at Martin
Christy Mantzanas, Florida State University

2021
Doris Alcivar, University of Central Florida
Karen Johnson, Tulsa Tech
Dylan Tedder, Arkansas State University

2020
Megan Simpson, Austin Peay State University
Cheryl Hicks, Wake Forest University
Mason Murphy, Texas State University

2019
Katie Ramirez, Trinity University
Ashley Rizzotto, Florida International University
Angel Iverson, University of Florida
Marisol Zacarias, Agnes Scott College

2018
Dia Buchanan, Belmont University
Elizabeth Enck, University of Central Oklahoma

2017
Valerie Kielmovitch Mandel, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Donna Srader, Texas Tech University
Stacy Shields, University of Houston - Clear Lake

2016
Tara Stevenson, Flagler College
Kathy Creel, Middle Tennessee State University

2015
Jill Boatright, Loyola University New Orleans
Kenetta Pierce, Columbia College

2014
Mary Mahoney, University of Tennessee
Ann Reynolds, Mounted Security Patrol
Tiffany Waddell, Wake Forest University

2013
Heather Reece
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 about SoACE scholarships?
Contact the SoACE Office at [email protected].