A virtual meeting took place on Friday, Jan. 31 to discuss a leadership scholarship offered to young women. The meeting was sponsored by BOLD Women’s Leadership Network. BOLD offers a series of scholarships to students at the University of Connecticut, offering up to $20,000 to each winner every year.
Each year, the application opens to female students who have two years remaining of their undergraduate degree. Eligible students for this year’s application cycle include those who identify as women and are planning to graduate in May 2027. The application to join Cohort 8 of the organization is due on Monday, March 10, 2025.
The BOLD scholarship is aimed at students who desire to make a change. Although winning the scholarship directly involves a summer program for creating a project and attending workshops, students should be prepared for a two-year commitment to the organization.
The host of the meeting, Emily Schwab, BOLD director and advisor of undergraduate research, described the mandatory leadership project as “a passion project for a cause.”
When applying, students are advised to suggest projects that they truly care about. Social justice and positive impact are some of the main goals of BOLD.
Karen Lau, an eighth-semester economics major and BOLD scholar explained, “The scholarship is special because it is not looking for only the smartest, but the most ambitious women on campus.”
Schwab advised applicants to not dwell on what they have not done, because “people can be leaders in different ways.” She noticed that what all the scholars do have in common is that “they all have clear passion and drive.”
The described “passion projects” are funded by BOLD, allowing students to overcome the biggest barrier to social change: finances. Projects can range from educating children in poor communities to filming a documentary to spread awareness on a topic. The scholarship committee is looking for a wide spread of people with varying interests, according to Schwab.
Foluke Akinkunmi, an eighth-semester political science major and BOLD scholar shared, “The scholarship takes off financial burdens and allows students to take up less jobs, allowing more time for ambitions.”
Schwab explained that BOLD does not believe that money should stop people from achieving their goals. She believes that the organization provides students with a unique opportunity to form experiences that cannot be produced elsewhere.
“It is very rare to slow down and have a moment to reflect when we have our hands dipped in many parts of campus and the organization pulls us out of business. We get specialized focus and care as scholars, which is not just making sure we meet deadlines, but having a mentor for all aspects of life,” Akinkunmi expressed. “The mentors understand what it is like to be an overachieving student.”
Examples of projects done by BOLD scholars are Lau’s direct involvement with a Chinese high school community in Manhattan, and Akinkunmi’s project regarding living and learning communities for black women.
Involvement with the organization or one’s project does not have to stop at the undergraduate level, however, and can expand into a lasting fellowship. Scholars have taken what they have done and applied it to their careers. One scholar taught the importance of the integration of art and STEM courses in a local community and is now involved with Teach For America in Baltimore, Md.
“The scholarship helps set yourself up for post-grad goals and your future career, preparing for success in different fields,” Lau said.
The BOLD Women’s Leadership Network scholarship desires to make a change by selecting driven students and “investing in their potential,” Schwab concluded.
Nominations by faculty members are suggested but not required for applicants. To learn more about the scholarship and the organization, visit https://ugradresearch.uconn.edu/bold/bold-cohort-8/.