Scholarships

SoACE offers 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.

Applications for the 2026 scholarships listed above are now closed. View eligibility for the 2026 Conference Scholarship and LEAD program here.

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])